Chapter Text
Zephyr watched as he passes endless sand from his train seat. He couldn't believe it he made it this far in his new journey. Moving his gaze to his hand where he's fidgeting with a pokeball that's tied to a thin chain around his neck. Inside the ball was his father's gift to Zephyr for his 16th birthday from a few days ago. He leans back and closes his eyes as he remembers what happened on his birthday three days ago.
It was around early evening at the end of his birthday in Snowpoint City. Outside was a small snowstorm which to Zephyr was peaceful weather. Zephyr was watching the newest Sinnoh League Battles while his mother, Robyn HighTower, was making his favorite dinner lasagna with some extra food, and his father, Gale HighTower, was setting the table. His mother is a tall, elegant woman with fair pale skin and stands at 6'1ft. She's a beautiful woman, even at 40 eyes turn to her when she walks into a room. Her long, waist length platinum hair lays straight down her back looked as amazing as fresh fallen snow on the ground and her eyes were as blue as ice. It makes since in her younger years trainers all around her called her an ice queen. Yet somehow Zephyr's father was the lucky guy who caught her attention. To everyone who sees both Zephyr and his mother in the same room would say his dad's genes didn't even try with him. He looked like an exact replica of his mother only with shorter hair that goes down to his shoulders instead of his waist, even his eyes matched hers.
On his tv was a Mimikyu battling a Rhydon. "Mimikyu use Double Team!" Mimikyu's trainer is a young girl around Zephyr's age with long brown hair in a simple blue dress. Mimikyu started moving faster than they had been during the first part of the battle making Rhydon's Stone Edge move miss. Rhydon's trainer is a older guy who looks like he would rather be in a cave. "Now Mimikyu finish this fight with Wood Hammer!" "Rhydon use Scary Face." However, Rhydon's attack missed and Mimikyu jumps into the air as they summon a green leafy hammer then slams in down on Rhydon's head. As Mimikyu lands gracefully on the ground and Rhydon falls to the ground unconscious. "AND That's it for Trainer Marcus' Rhydon and his last Pokémon. That means Lady Eva is going into the next round." The Announcer said as Eva and Marcus shake hands.
The tv then turns off causing Zephyr to look behind him to see his dad holding the remote. "Well did your predictions come out right this fight?" His father asks and Zephyr looks down at the small pocket notebook in his hands. "No, I was wrong. I thought Rhyhorn would attack with a Drill Run instead of trying to slow Mimikyu with Scary Face, everything else was right predictions though. I knew Mimikyu would win." Zephyr said as he pocketed his notebook. "Is dinner ready? I'm starving."
Gale HighTower is shorter than his mother at a 5'8 with short dark brown hair that reached just below his ears. His eyes are a deep green and he is actually from Unova's Nimbasa City. He has come to Sinnoh wanting to climb Mount Coronet when he was 15 and he meet Robyn in Eterna City right after her gym battle. He fell hard for Robyn and when they were 18, she finally said yes to dating. A couple years later they married and Robyn retired as a ace trainer and went back home with Gale to Snowpoint.
"Go wash up dear while your father and his Pokémon set the table." Zephyr nods and after washing up he comes back. Looking around he sees his mother's Alolan Ninetails is laying by the table while his father's Lucario is helping his mother set down the food. Zephyr sits down and Lucario places a plate of Lasagna and some garlic bread in front of him. "Thank you, Echo." Echo gruffs lightly before making another plate for Zephyr's mother then his father.
"Thank you, Echo." Robyn said patting his head before taking her own seat. "Alright Echo go make sure the others are eating just fine then you can go eat your dinner in the livingroom." Gale said and Echo left the kitchen to check on the other Pokémon. Gale would rather have his Pokémon eat dinner with the family, but Robyn says no since she had just deep cleaned the house for Zephyr's 16th birthday. For the beginning of dinner, the family ate in peace, none of them mentioning Ninetails under Robyn's chair since Ninetails is also about as clean as the house. His mother would never admit it, but she hates dirt and germs and her Ninetails followed in her footsteps.
"How was the gym today mother? Any interesting trainers?" Zephyr asks after eating almost half of his lasagna. "Not really just some 10-year-old beginners so I didn't do any battling today. Though I doubt Opal minds. I think it's time I retire her fully." His mother said and patted her Ninetails' head. "She's not giving it her all anymore love?" His father asks and Robyn shakes her head. "Not really and I don't want the trainers to gain pity badges. I probably will have to go out with Jade to catch and train some new Pokémon."
Zephyr picked a bit at his dinner of the mention his mother leaving to catch some new Pokémon for the gym. His father watched silently before pulling something out of his pocket.
"So, Zephyr did you enjoy your birthday?" His mother asks while she finishes her own meal. "It was great mom. I needed the new notebooks since I've basically filled in all my others." Robyn nods and takes her plate to the sink.
"You know kiddo I didn't give you my gift yet." Gale said and he held out a fist out for Zephyr. Raising an eyebrow Zephyr places his hand out and his father places down a miniaturized Pokeball. "What's this?" Zephyr asked as he examined the Pokeball. "Is it empty?" Zephyr didn't notice the disapproving look she was giving to her father. "Well, it's not empty. A couple weeks ago during my climb of Mt. Pyre I found this egg and Echo took care of them after we got the Pokémon Center to give them a checkup. They finally hatched just a couple of days ago and I think it would be a good Pokémon for you to start out with."
Zephyr faced the Pokeball to the floor and called out the Pokémon inside the ball. A small blue humanoid Pokémon comes out, really small with a blue body with black markings on their face, nose, and legs and even a little blue tail.
"It's a Riolu.." Zephyr mumbled as he reached out but the Riolu stepped back which made Zephyr pull back disappointed. "Careful Zeph. Riolu and Lucarios are really sensitive and can read your feelings. So, if you're nervous, they will be." His father explains and Zephyr took a small shaky breath and pulled back fully. "Oh... they look amazing." Zephyr said just stunned. Riolu hasn't even opened their eyes since they were let out.
"Put that Pokémon away Zephyr. I just cleaned the house." Robyn said as she dried her hands from cleaning her dish. "Now dear it's his first Pokémon. We should let them bond." Gale spoke softly as to not spook the small Riolu. Robyn stared at her son who hasn't looked away from his new Pokémon. "What does he need a Pokémon for anyways? He has all our Pokémon to play with if he wishes." Zephyr didn't look at his mother as he replied, "Well they aren't my Pokémon. They're yours. I love helping you take care of your Pokémon, but I've always wanted my own partner." He reached out to the Riolu slowly.
"Riolu? I'm Zephyr. I hope we can become great partners." Zephyr waited but Riolu still didn't open their eyes and even turned more away from Zephyr. "He doesn't even like you are dear. If you want a Pokémon we can go to Professor Rowan for one of the starters, he gives away to brand new trainers." Zephyr returns Riolu to his Pokeball with a small frown. "I don't want to give up on Riolu. Dad said he just hatched recently so maybe he's still nervous." Robyn gave a thick sigh before turning to her husband. "We should have discussed this."
Gale hasn't looked away from his son since giving him his gift. "He's 16 love of my life. He deserves his own Pokémon. He's even old enough to even start his own Pokémon journey." "Absolutely not! It's far too dangerous out there on his own." Robyn said seething at her husband. "But mom you and dad started your journeys at 10. Even all the other kids my age in Snowpoint left when they were 10." Zephyr argued. "He's right dear and he won't be alone. He'll have Riolu." "That Riolu won't even look at him I doubt he will protect him against wild Pokémon or even one of those gangs we keep hearing about on the news." "But-" "Dear-" "Absolutely not." She repeated. "He won't be leaving here until he is 21 and can get a real job. End of discussion." That shut both Zephyr and his father up as Robyn leaves the kitchen.
"I'm sorry Zephyr. Guess I'll try again in a couple of days. Now let's clean this kitchen up." Zephyr and his father cleaned the table and put the leftovers away while Echo did the dishes. "I'll take care of the rest. Why don't you go upstairs and try to bond with Riolu." His father patted Zephyr's shoulder and Zephyr went upstairs to his room.
Once Zephyr gets up to his room, he lets the Riolu out of the ball. "You can hang out in here Riolu. You should be able to just relax." Zephyr said and Riolu, with his eyes still closed sat in the middle of the floor of his bedroom. "That works." Zephyr sits at his desk and looks at his shelf full of notes he's written since he's watched his first Pokémon battle. He grabbed one of his notebooks, this one was written about 4 years go. Even at 12 his mother never wanted him to explore on his own. He's always had one of his parents' Pokemons when he was alone.
Looking up from his notebook he looks to Riolu. With a soft smile, Zephyr places the notebook in front of Riolu. He wasn't sure the Pokémon could read but he wanted to try to bond with Riolu. "These are notes on Pokémon battles I've watched growing up. I really want us to be as close as my father is with his Lucario. Maybe we can become great battlers or who knows maybe performers." Still no reaction from Riolu. "Riolu I am your friend, and I hope you can learn to trust me." Zephyr got off the floor and grabs a towel. "I'll be back. You can take a nap in my bed if you like."
As Zephyr walks downstairs to the share's bathroom, he started to hear his parents whispered argument.
"I don't care if he's 16. He could be 30 and I wouldn't let him leave on his own. Just because Team Galactic has been gone for 10 years doesn't mean there isn't any other groups that could hurt him." His mother's hushed voice seemed tense. "Love he needs to find himself and the best way his exploring the world on his own. He won't be alone now with Riolu on his side. Maybe you can send him a Pokémon of your own. But he needs to become his own person. Not your shadow." His father's soft voice argued.
Zephyr forced himself to continue to the bathroom.
After a couple of hours into the night Zephyr is laying in his bed staring at the star ceiling with his mind full of thoughts. Riolu is still sitting on the floor in the middle of his bedroom. His mother's disapproval loud in his mind. She would never let him leave on his own while his father thinks he needs to find himself by exploring. Zephyr wants to explore and feels he's ready for his own journey. He sits up and looks at Riolu's silent figure then outside to the cold night.
Then against his better judgement he walks up to his dresser and pulls out some thermals, a pair of his snow boots, and a small box with his savings from doing odd jobs around the city. He grabbed his old school bag and started folding and putting the clothes in. He would have to buy more supplies when he reaches Jublife City.
He was so stuck in his determination packing he jumped when his bedroom door open. His father was staring back at Zephyr's surprised face. "I thought you guys were sleeping." His father stared at him then his eyes shifted to the bag in front of Zephyr. "I-I" Zephyr couldn't think of a lie. However, his father pulled out a newer backpack that seemed to be already packed. Zephyr walks up to his father, "What's this?" He asked. "Another one of my birthday gifts for you." He reached the bag out towards Zephyr. "I know you're ready. Your mother does too she is just worried about your safety like any good mother." Zephyr takes the bag and opens it.
It's packed with his clothes new boots and some camping food. "There's some money in there for a train ticket to wherever you want to go. However, everything else is up to you to get. If you truly want to leave your mother is in the shower, then is planning to go to bed so she won't notice until the morning when she wakes you up for breakfast." Zephyr hugs his dad tightly. "Thank you." He whispered and pulled away. "I will definitely become partners with Riolu and make a name for myself just like mom and yourself."
Gale smiled and ruffled his son's hair. "Get ready. The snow has stopped for now, but I don't know when it will kick up again." Gale left Zephyr alone in his room and closed the door behind him.
Zephyr looks at the bag and then quickly gets changed. He's now wearing instead of his pajamas a white t-shirt with a heavy navy-blue winter coat with fake fur on the hood, deep blue shorts with black thermal leggings underneath, and through his rushing he ended up with mixed match blue and gray socks underneath his boots. With the extra space in his bag, he packed away a couple of his notebooks from his years. He looks at himself in his mirror. While his face was hard cold his heart was pounding from nervousness. He's never runaway before and never thought he would. Now if he wanted his freedom, he has to take the risk. He was sure he was ready.
After returning Riolu to his ball he sneaks out his window and slides down the low roof trying to get as low as he can to jump off. He's hangout on the roof before but never jumped off it. Taking a deep, shaky breath Zephyr tries to climb down feet first. Dropping down he actually landed softly in the snow. "Okay... let's keep going."
Thankfully he actually made it to the train station before his mother noticed he was gone. "Alright kid, do you have your parents' permission or a battle pass to ride the train station?" The receptionist in front of Snowpoint's train asked. Zephyr quickly looked through his new bag and found the envelope with his dad's money. He opened it and saw a note inside along with the money. "H-here." Zephyr stuttered as he handed the note to the receptionist.
The receptionist read the note and handed it back to Zephyr. "Thank you. Do you know where you want to go?" They asked and Zephyr looked down at the list of popular cities. There's Jubilfe City, Nimbasa City, and Lumiose City. "Umm... I would like to buy a ticket for-" Zephyr stopped mid-sentence when the pages suddenly moved due to a gust of wind. Reborn City 'Here' "-Reborn City." The receptionist looked up surprised. "Are you sure you want to go there? It's been going through some troubles last couple of years." Zephyr smiled lightly. "Yeah, I would like to go to Reborn City. I want a new start." They nodded and held out their hand. "That would be $300 Poke-Dollars." Zephyr gave them the money and in return he was given a ticket. The small voice in his head said Reborn City so why not?
After a couple of minutes in the empty train station Zephyr was let onto the train and sat by a window. His heart was still pounding but it was more for excitement then nervousness. He laid his head down and closed his eyes to rest through the rest of the night.