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Getting a starter pokemon was less a matter of catching a pokemon, and more a matter of befriending one. Emmet knew this fact well when he and his brother made their way to Changestone cave, and so did the tynamo staring at him. Forming bonds was not a matter of love at first sight, even if Emmet already knew that this pokemon would be his first. With a trill the tynamo bolted off, Emmet running after with no hesitation.
It was a simple rule amongst all children. If you can keep up with me and we have fun, then we’re friends. Such was the way of the world, and Emmet knew it better than most. You can’t be better than them, not too much anyway, or they will hate you. You can’t be too bad either, or it won’t be fun. A balance was needed, one Emmet had yet to perfect at his young age.
They sprinted around the cave, Emmet leaping over ledges and rocks. He twisted around corners and dodged the joltik that skittered about with ease. The tynamo flew just as fast, levitating above the troublesome ledges yet slowing down as it was slightly pulled towards the electrical stones littering the ground. Its sleek skin sparked with charge that reacted with the natural ones of the cave. Still, it nimbly avoided the human’s reach, going further and further into the cave even with such restriction.
Emmet wasn't too worried about what Ingo would think, knowing that he could meet up with him at the entrance later. His one track mind was focused on the tynamo, and little else. They ran and ran Emmet feeling his legs begin to tire, yet he did not stop. Not yet. Friends encouraged each other to go past their limits, but always stopped before they pushed each other too much. But tynamo wasn't done yet, and so neither was Emmet. Both were perfectly aware of the other's space. Emmet knew he was just a little slower than the eel, and tynamo knew well that if it slowed down any further it would be promptly snatched up in a child’s gentle grip. It wouldn’t have minded this but giving up was not how one made friends. This was a battle that must be fought to completion, and neither were willing to throw in the towel.
There was a fork in the path, one trail leading upwards and the other straight. Emmet took a sharp turn to the upwards path as tynamo bolted forwards. The two paths ran parallel, and Emmet could see flashes of the little white pokemon in between the stalagmites and stalactites. Emmet pushed his legs just a little bit harder, pulling ahead of the pokemon. His muscles strained as he huffed breath after breath, chest burning with exertion. He would soon run out of energy, but he knew this cave well, and he knew exactly what was coming and what to do. Even with small things like tag, strategy was key.
Just as Emmet remembered, there was a break in the rock formations between the two paths. Emmet finally had the opening he needed, and he easily took advantage of it. He leaped over the ledge between them and reached out, tackling the tynamo right out of the air and sending them both tumbling to the ground. His hands pulled his prize into his chest, tucking into a ball just like their uncle taught them.
They rolled over and over again before finally skidding to a stop, Emmet’s once white clothing now stained with charged blue dirt. He laid there for a moment, and then opened his cupped hands that protected the pokemon from the tumble.
The Tynamo blinked up at him, taking in his rumpled appearance and heaving breaths. Its body lit up with small static shocks, making Emmet giggle as they tickled his fingers. The pokemon happily trilled and circled him and he sat up. Yes, they agreed, Emmet had indeed kept up- even better- surpassed Tynamo in their game.
If he could keep up, then they could play happily. And friends played all the time, everyday.
With a look, it was decided. Emmet may have won this time, but he might not in the next round!
Emmet stood and started running, Tynamo not far behind. Laughter echoed throughout the cave that day, and Ingo didn't bother trying to look for his brother once he heard it. He happily waited by the entrance, excited to meet his brother's new friend.