Chapter Text
Cold, very cold.
He tried to warmed himself more by covered any of his body with the blanket the cops had given him earlier. It was too big, and too thick. Unlike his favourite wuzzy blanket his mom knitted for him. But he was cold, and this was the only thing he can get. So he takes it.
Tears slipped from his eyes, no matter how much he wiped it all the river still continued. He hated it when it was his small balled fist that wipes the tears on his face. He hoped it was a larger hand, much larger than his and warm. Very warm.
But those kind of hands weren't there with him anymore. He was all alone.
Sat alone in the waiting room outside of the medical ward, one of the cops who came to rescued him made her appearance. She kneeled down so he can sees her by eye level. With a warm, pitying smile, the cop asked.
"Do you have any other family members?"
He nodded, but paused, and shook his head. She frowned at it.
"What's that suppose to mean? Do you have any other family members left?"
Hands gripped tighter to the thick blanket, he shook his head.
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"...yes."
"Aunts? Uncles? Cousins?"
He croaked "No."
"Sister?" she tilted her head "Or brother, perhaps?"
"....no."
He was telling the truth. His family left him all alone in this cold, unforgiving world. They left him all by himself, when he was still in a very tender age.
Nate was alone when he was ten.
He didn't want to.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Three years later .....
He takes a deep breath. The scent of salty water begin to lessened as other various scents take place. Pasio was large, and amazing. The region was rich and have its own vibe. Plenty of people and Pokémon filled the areas and the region looked like it was twenty four hours busy.
Nate strode forward with a smile. His bag slung on his shoulder swayed at each of his movements. His face was protected under the shade of his visor, which he was glad he brought it with him or else he will get a sunburn.
He always wanted to be here ever since the first time he heard about the region. He wanted to be a trainer, and grandpa's last wish was for him to follow his heart. And he shall follow his heart.
Nate always dreamt to be a trainer. To work together with his own Pokémon and just live the fullest life — man, wasn't it sound like the perfect happy ending? He always desired for happy ending too.
A snicker surpassed his lips when a girl was tackled down by her Growlithe. Nate could felt his smile grew as he imagined if he was like that with his Pokémon. Now, all he needed was to get his own Pokémon, and he can start training right away.
Sound like a plan!
Yes, Nate was a trainer who didn't have any Pokémon in his rooster — hey, he just begin his journey. The person who in charged to give him his starter never arrive to his house and the cruise to Pasio won't be waiting for him. With no choice and the lack of time, Nate went to Pasio without any Pokémon.
That was fine. He heard that Prof Bellis from Pasio gives away Pokémon egg to any trainers who help her in her biddings. Maybe he can do her a favour and get his own starter by that.
Poryphone out from his pocket, Nate read the map provided by the gadget. Apparently, Prof Bellis' lab was a bit far from where he was currently at, maybe it took some time too to get there.
He pursed his lips. He hated walking. Swimming was far easier. And better too.
The sensation of footsteps on the ground came near him. Someone was approaching him.
"You look a bit gloom there, kiddo. Something gotcha back?"
Nate blinked, looked up from his poryphone to the person stood before him. The person was taller, and obviously older too. He looked like he was between sixteen or seventeen. With black jet hair one bang swiped to beside his face and a pair amber eyes.
Rare, the thought ran in Nate's head. Gold like colour eyes are rare.
Nate snapped from his small thought when he realized the person was waiting for a reply. Nate, shook his head "No, there's nothing wrong. It's just, Prof Bellis' lab is just too far away."
The person snorted at the response "Far? It's just five kilometres away, kid!" he laughed at the gloom reaction painted on Nate's face "You must hate physical activity, huh?"
"Not really. Walking is just not my type. Or running."
"Hah. The name's Ethan Carmeline, I'm from Johto. Judge by the way you act, you must be new around here too, right?"
Nate nodded "Right! My name's Nate Vasil. I'm from Unova. It's nice to meet you, mister!"
Ethan waved him "Don't call me, mister. I'm sixteen, mister just made me feel old. You can call me Ethan. Anyway, why do you want to see Prof Bellis anyway? Usually newcomer just straight up challenges passerby."
"Um...," Nate scratched the back of his head, Ethan raised a brow at the sheepish smile on the younger's face "Well, you see, I don't have a Pokémon yet."
"...you don't have a— not one?"
"Not even one."
"That's....," Ethan takes a long thought to say a proper word to describe Nate's situation. He can't find one. So he just straight up honest "Weird. Only trainers that have Pokémon already usually come here. They will train with their Pokémon first before coming to Pasio."
"Hehe...I was supposed to get a starter a week ago, but somehow they never arrive to my house and the one time special-promotion-of-cruise-ride to Pasio will be going off. I really don't have much time to wait for several more days. That's why I'm gonna go meet Prof Bellis. Maybe she can give me an egg."
"That's explain it. But," Ethan shots a sympathetic smile "Prof Bellis is out for the time being."
"... pardon? May you repeat that?"
"Prof Bellis is out. Gone to Kalos I heard. She'll be back in three weeks at least."
The whole world shattered in Nate's head. Just when he thought he could get a starter today, now he have to wait for three weeks? He wanted to scream so loud the internal voice in his head already hurt his ears.
So depressed by the thought, Nate's gaze dropped down to the ground and body slumped "I see...thanks for telling me..."
Felt pity for the boy, Ethan frantically waved "Hey! Don't be so gloom! You'll get a starter sooner or later. I know a guy who might can help you. Recently he caught a Pokémon, but too busy to train it. Maybe he can give it to you if prove to him you're a good trainer."
Hope filled up his heart, Nate straightened his stand and nodded quickly "Thank you! And I will! In fact, I'll go meeting him right now!" before Ethan could say a word, the boy dashed passed him.
The Johtonese sweatdropped "But I haven't even tell you where his location yet..."
Nate never thought he would run as fast as he was currently was. Years ago he always been a slow runner person due to fact he hated running. But there was a Pokémon on the line, how can he walk slow if he can get it faster by running? All he needed to do was to find this person and—
....where was that person and who was he?
Abruptly stopped from running, Nate looked around. He didn't know who he have to find or where that guy might be. Urgh! He felt so foolish. At the very least he could ask Ethan where that guy might be or his he looks like. Here he was, running around like a total fool.
Maybe he was, but it will bring more shame if he ever admit it.
"Aw man!" he cursed, hands dropped to his side "Just when I thought this is my lucky day."
Let out a sigh, Nate turned around to walk back to where he last saw Ethan when the corner of his eyes caught something.
An Eevee was crossing the road. Aw...
Nate cooed at the sight. What an adorable Eevee. Look at how it walked with its four paws trotted at the road. Its tail waddled left and right, nearly make Nate to cooes out loud.
With a smile, Nate thought that the very least he get to sees such a cute sight. Turned around, Nate was about to walk away and retrace his steps, when he could felt the wheels screeched on the ground with unstable speed, headed near him. Head snapped back to the road, Nate's eyes widened at the people shouts and screams, as a green car driving far too fast for the limited road speed rule on the road.
And the Eevee was still crossing the road.
It's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's it gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get hit it's gonna get—
HURT
Head blanked, everything felt so slow. Nate could felt it, the coldness refilled back in his heart, then to his arms, legs, torso, everywhere. He knew it was his unconscious part that made him moved toward the small brown Pokémon, moved faster than earlier as he snatched the evolution Pokémon off the ground and threw himself and it to the other side of the road.
The green car speed passed him inches away. If I lean my head a bit further, I would've been crushed, the thought ran passed him.
"Oh my—Kid! Are you okay?!" few people gathered around him, inspected the boy and the Pokémon.
But Nate didn't care about the attention he received. He looked at the small creature trembled in his arms. The Eevee was obviously scared to death. Its ears dropped and its tiny body quivered in fear.
"Hey, hey," softly, Nate called it "It's alright now. Nothing will hurt you. The car's gone."
Eevee looked at him, big doe eyes stared into his chocolate ones. Like it knew the danger was gone, the terror in its gaze dissipated. The evolution Pokémon chirped, head stretched out to gave a few licks at the young boy's face. Nate giggled, wiggled at the funny sensation.
"Is that a thank you? Your welcome!"
"Holy crap— Grey, are you alright?!"
The two looked up. A tanned skin trainer pushed passed through the crowd, looked at the Eevee in Nate's arms frantically. Eevee—whose name was Grey, chirped as a positive answer. The trainer sighed in relief, before realized that Nate was there as well.
"And you, kid? Are you okay?"
"Yeah...," Nate replied weakly, the previous event still shocked him "I'm fine. Is this Eevee is yours?"
"You're the kid that wears red visor, messy brunette hair?"
"Uh—huh?" What is he on about? Wait—my hair's a mess?!
"Grey shorts, and short sleeve blue jacket?"
Still assumed the unknown (crazy, maybe) guy still described him, Nate just nods in return.
"The guy you met earlier, what's his name?"
"Wait—you mean Ethan?"
"Cool. That Eevee is yours."
WHAT?! "WHAT?!"
The guy repeated nonchalantly "That's Eevee yours."
With hesitation and still hold onto Grey, Nate stood up to face the guy better "Wait, wait wait wait wait wait— I don't understand. What are you saying?"
"Didn't Ethan says something about someone will give you a Pokémon. Yeah, that someone is me. My name's Ash Ketchum, from Kanto. Ethan's friend," the guy swiftly introduced himself. Like he didn't just dropped a bomb at Nate "He says there's a Pokémon trainer that haven't gotten a Pokémon yet, so here I am."
"But, but— shouldn't you check if I'm suitable for Eevee?"
"Show me your Trainer ID."
Automatically, Nate shoved his hand inside his pocket and pulled out the given card from his grandpa. Ash nodded.
"Pokédex."
Let go of Grey, Nate grabbed his dark blue coloured Pokédex. Grey moved quickly to perched on his head.
Ash takes the Pokédex, typed something on it before handed it back to the young boy "Here, I've already registered Grey — that Eevee, into your Pokédex. Now she's yours."
"That doesn't answer my question! You don't even know if I'm qualify to be its—her trainer!"
"You already did."
"H-huh?"
Ash pointed at the road. The tire marks from the earlier near car crash was still visible. By then, Nate noticed that the crowd had dissipated, much to his relief.
"You saved Grey. That was enough to prove how willing you are for a Pokémon. I think you're reliable enough to get a Pokémon."
You're such a kid, K—
He shook his head, flushed out the voice in his head. He looked back to Ash, who stared at him with keen eyes.
"I just do what anyone would do."
"And the only one who takes action about it was just you," the latter retorted "There's many people around us, yet only you who moved to save Grey. I think that's more than enough."
Nate haven't thought about it. He just did what he thought he did. Grandpa always said that acts without thinking twice. But the truth was, he did. If he thinks it was the right thing to do, then he will.
"So trainer," Ash called him again "What's your choice?"
Yes
"If you don't mind, then I guess I'll take her."
Grey chirped happily. She patted his head with her front paws like she was drumming it. Her tail wagged happily.
Nate grabbed her from his head, turned her to face him better. He may had brought her too close to his face, because she quickly kicked his nose and his cheek.
"Wah—Grey!" he laughed, tickled by the sensation again "I wonder why your name's not Licky!"
"Cuz we let Silver named her."
"Huh?"
Ash shook his head. He shoved his hands inside his pockets and said "Grey might be your Pokémon now, but I expect you to treat her good. I already registered my number in your Pokédex, so if something emergency happen, you can go on and call me."
The younger trainer pulled Grey away to looked at him "That's nice. But why don't you put it in my poryphone?"
"Nah. Pokédex have better radar for far length signal, unlike poryphone that limited to several regions. It didn't cost a lot too," the tanned skin trainer idly explained. His side bangs swayed to the side as a gentle breeze passed by, Nate noticed a faint mark at the side of his ear, barely visible.
Ash cocked his head to the side, his hat tipped to one side "Now that you have your starter, do I need to do introduction about the way of trainer?"
"Ah, no thank you. I already learn. When I was a kid, I used to follow a trainer around."
"I see. One last question. Do you come here to join the PML?"
At the mention of the main event of the year, Nate beamed and nodded excitedly. Grey sheepishly copied his action "Yes! It's my all time dream! I was so lucky that I'm old enough to be a trainer this year!"
"That's great. Don't forget to collect all five badges. You can get a badge case in the PokeCenter. PML will begin in two more months, so be ready by then."
"I will!"
After have multiple thank you and good luck, Nate and Grey parted away. The Kantonion watched with hidden amusement as the young boy and Eevee became smaller and smaller in his view. When he was sure that Nate was out from his sight, a sigh surpassed his lips.
"Has they found their hideouts yet?"
A tall humanoid creature, with blue and white appearance, nodded its face. Its amber coloured eyes shifted from him to where Nate's previously stood.
"That's one good news," Ash stated, gone now his soft and serene tone, replaced with dead tiredness "Tell Kris to be ready in five. We'll barge in."
The shiny Gardevoir nodded, before gone like it was never there before. Another sigh, but longer and tired, came from Ash.
"Team Plasma will be the cause of my bald head."