Melody Hughes, Christina Langley, & Blaine Debour
Chapter 1 - Route 30
A Most Unusual Meeting
Melody was not sure how long she had been wandering about. What had originally started out as a grand idea to lead into a fun-filled, adventure-packed journey across Route 30 had quickly turned into a rather puzzling trek. Shortly after stepping off the main path of the route, Melody noticed that most signs of any trainers being about seemed to more or less disappear. In fact, the only company the girl had had, besides that of her Chikorita, was the occasional wild Pokemon. While the teenager had no qualms about this initially, as it let her and Blossom get some battle practice in, she began to think that half an hour's worth of walking around without sight of another dirt path... much less a fellow trainer, was a bit much.
"You know, Blossom... I'm starting to think maybe this wasn't such a cool idea after all," Melody said, glancing down at the Chikorita who walked beside her. "I mean, it's totally cool the way you handled that Caterpie back there, but... I'm starting to think we might be a bit lost."
The Chikorita glanced up at Melody as she spoke, a small squeak escaping her small mouth. Blossom nuzzled up against the trainer's leg, as if she could tell that Melody was starting to get a bit worried about their situation. Melody sighed as she bent down, scooping her Chikorita back up into her arms.
"Maybe we should take a breather, yeah?" Melody suggested, making her way towards a nearby tree stump. "You fought like, four or five times already... So I know you wouldn't mind."
Blossom cheeped in with a small squeak. Taking that as a yes, Melody took a seat on the stump and placed her Chikorita in her lap. It was very quiet for the time being, almost unsettling so. If it was not for the fact that the sun was so bright and it being so clear this morning, the trainer might have been a bit on edge.
"Some start off this is..." Melody sighed. "One hour in and I already have no idea where I am... What if I can't find my way back to the trail and we end up stranded out here in the middle of nowhere for the rest of our lives? I only have one or two potions on me for the time being and I doubt I should really eat any berries. They would probably make me break out in a rash or something and then I'd get dizzy and pass out. What if it gets really cold at night? Or some wild Mightenya jump out of the trees and try to eat us! I mean, I don't have a lot of meat on my bones... I wonder if they like things that way..."
As Melody continued to quietly debate with herself about the dangers of living out in the forest, she noticed something odd. A somewhat quiet, but slowly rising noise from somewhere off in the woods. The sound became louder and louder, eventually being distinguished as someone screaming at the top of their lungs. A second later, a red-haired girl tumbled into the little clearing, arms flailing around with something oddly green on top of her head. Following her was a small, oddly-coloured Cyndaquil with the flames on its back billowing while squeakily hissing up at whatever was on the girl's head.
"It's in my hair! It's in my hair! Get it ooooouuuut...!!!" she screamed, just as one of her arms struck the thing, causing it to fall to the ground. It squirmed around a little, turning out to be a small Spinarak, who now looked thoroughly dizzy. The Cyndaquil growled and semi-ran towards it, causing the little bug Pokémon to turn and make a break for the trees, where it disappeared into a bush.
Christina, now feeling the insect having left her hair, slumped to her knees, quietly whimpering while brushing her hands over her hair, the Cyndaquil worriedly hopping closer to her. "I... i-is it gone? P-please tell me it's gone..."
Melody did not know what to make of the display she had just witnessed. At first when the red haired girl came charging out of the bushes, the girl had thought about making a break for it herself, thinking that it might have been a wild Usaring charging at her with hunger in its eyes. Needless to say, the trainer was quite relieved that that was not the case.
"Um... Y-Yeah, yeah. It's totally gone," Melody replied to the girl, slowly getting up from the stump where she and Blossom had been resting.
Blinking her eyes slowly open again, Chris' started out by patting her head to make sure the thing was really gone, before looking up and actually noticing the somewhat wild-looking girl in front of her. "... Oh!"
Quickly getting to her feet, she brushed herself off while the Cyndaquil tilting its head while watching the Chikorita accompanying the other girl. "Uhm... sorry you had to see that." Chris' said with a bit of a blush to her cheeks, followed by a sheepish smile. "I... got a little bit lost, and that... -thing- jumped on my head while I was trying to find my way out of here. And... uh, I'm a little bit more lost now." She paused, offering her semi-gloved hand to the girl, smiling. "I'm Christina, by the way. Nice to see someone else out here."
"You got lost out here too?" Melody gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. Was Route 30 really that much of a confusing path to navigate? If it was, just what was the rest of her journey going to be like? The girl could not stomach the thought of getting lost on
every route she happened to cross... Snapping out of her daze, Melody realized that the trainer who had held her hand out and introduced herself was still waiting. An embarrassed giggle escaped the girl's lips as she shook Christina's hand. "Sorry 'bout that. My name's Melody! It's nice to meet ya!"
Glancing down for a moment, Melody noticed a Cyndaquil standing close to Christina. Melody suddenly snapped her fingers, a broad smile stretching across her lips as she noticed the Pokemon's odd coloring..
"Hey! I know you!" Melody shouted. "Well, not really. I mean I saw you. At least I think I did. Well, I'm sure that part doesn't matter. What I mean is that you totally got that Pokemon from Professor Pine, right? Well, of course you did 'cause it's like mine, but isn't it weird with how they're colored?"
Raising her brows a little at the girl now known as Melody's little outburst, though giving her a smile, looking down at her Cyndaquil, who had now shuffled a little closer to Melody, sniffing at her leg. "Oh! Yeah, I did, actually!" She then tilted her head, a confused look on her face. "What do you mean, it's weird? Isn't this their normal colour?"
"Well, not really. I mean, I guess it's sort of normal but not. I mean, um... hold on a sec!" Melody replied. She sat her Chikorita down on the stump for a moment before sliding her backpack off of her back and then sat it down on the grass. Bending down and opening it up, the girl began to rummage through it, pulling out a somewhat faded photo of a young boy who looked to be about her age. But more importantly, he was holding a Chikorita that was colored green instead of the yellow-ish-brown like Melody's was.
"See? They're a totally different color!" the girl said. "I don't think it's normal... Unless maybe this one in the picture is the weird color. Which it might be because it's an older picture, but I don't think the fading on it would make the color look that weird, ya know?"
The Cyndaquil, now seeing the Chikorita had been placed down on the stump, waddled over and pushed herself onto her hind legs, with her front legs placed against the stump, raising her head a little to sniff at the Chikorita and give out a little squeak. Chris', meanwhile, bent a little forwards to see the picture, raising her brows.
"Huh... that -is- weird." She looked over at the Chikorita and then down again, brows furrowing. "I... have to say, the green colour does kinda look more... natural on it, sorta. But... mnnh. I guess we'd need to ask someone who knows." Standing up straight again, she shrugged lightly. "Then again, the colour of your Pokémon doesn't -really- matter, right?"
Blossom glanced down at the Cyndaquil who she had really noticed for the first time at this point. A small smile graced the Chikorita's mouth as she gave the Cyndaquil a rather proud look, as if being on top of the stump was something special that not just any Pokemon could accomplish.
"I guess you're right..." Melody nodded, putting her picture back away into her backpack. She put it back onto her shoulder and smiled at Christina. "So, um... Do you happen to know where about this is? I mean, I know it's Route 30, but um... Like, I mean do you know where on it is?"
Sindy seemed to notice the proudness and confidence Blossom was exuding from being on top of the stump and let out a little huff. Grasping the corner of the stump, she began pulling herself up, not wanting to be outshined just because she was standing slightly below the Chikorita.
Christina sighed a little, rubbing the back of her neck with a little frown. "I wish I knew, but I don't have a map application in my pokégear... -apparently-." She scowled a little, shrugging her shoulders. "If I'd have to guess... we're probably about... a third up the way of the route? We might be close to the Pokémon center near the cave that's supposedly at the west-turn of the road, but if we can't even find the road, then..." She sighed again, looking a little lost.
"Oh, we should totally go together then!" Melody quickly decided, seemingly missing out on the information that Christina had shared about their probable location. The shorter girl grinned as she began to jump, as if excited by the thought. "I bet if we worked together we could totally find where we are and where to go! It works in the movies and stuff anyways!"
Meanwhile, Blossom gasped in surprise as Sindy began to climb up on to the stump...
her stump. The little Chikorita began to squeak in defiance, jumping up and down as if her precious castle was about to be invaded by intruders. Unfortunately for the grass Pokemon, she suddenly lost her footing. A squeak of surprise escaped Blossom's mouth, before she slipped off the backside of the stump and tumbling onto the grass below.
Christina giggled at the girl's eagerness. Sure, she might look a little wild, and she might be a little... hyperactive, but she seemed like a really nice girl, all in all. "You know what? You're right. Besides, if there's two of us, there's less chance that the bugs around here get any bright ideas." She subconciously raised a hand to scratch the top of her head at the memory of the sneaky Spinarak. "Right then, let's go find our way back to the road!"
As Sindy managed to climb onto the top of the stump, she was surprised to find it empty. Peeking over the edge, down at the now fallen Blossom, the Cyndaquil raised its little front legs into the air and let out a rumbly little growl, clearly happy with her taking over of the stump.
Blaine really didn't know where he was now, but if anything he was safe. He could only wonder just how long that could last out here though. He was sure he could die any second now, so he had to be prepared for anything really. If he could just find some sort of bearing... mabye a sign... or some sort of road. That was when he heard some noises and paused. He gripped the pokeball on his waist, feeling far safer with at least some sort of defense on his side. He pulled it out and sighed, "Alright... one time. One more chance." He opened the ball, "Alright, get at it or something." He said. "There's noise there... and you fight. So go at it."
The Totodile for a moment just stared up at him before letting out a loud and happy gurgle and ran right past some bushes and... just jumped up and down while letting out jabbers left and right. Blaine groaned and covered his head. He could hear no attacks coming out, so did that mean Totodile had given up? He peeked his head out slowly and then withdrew it. Other people here? Not just humans, but GIRLS. He shuddered and shook his head. Okay, he could do this. He just needed to keep calm was all. He didn't have much experience with them, but from what he read online they could be very... complex.
"Hello?" He asked as he stepped out, his Totodile just plain old running around and looking like a derp face at the moment. Dear Arceus why did he have to get the broken one? "What are you two doing out here?" He asked warily.
Melody jumped at the sudden voice, almost falling onto her backside. Looking around, she spotted a boy probably about her age with a Pokemon in tow... or maybe it was more of the other way around, as it seemed the Totodile was the one leading him around. Regardless, Melody was relieved that it was another trainer and not a wild Scyther coming at the duo to cut them down to bits. A broad smile quickly replaced her surprised look, as the girl quickly hopped over towads the boy.
"Hi! We're um... well... We're lost!" Melody replied for the two girls. From the tone of her voice, it almost sounded as if she was happy about this fact. Quickly extending her hand and taking his into it, without a moment's delay one might add, Melody began to shake it with glee. "My name's Melody. Who are you?"
"Uh... Blaine." He said after a moment. He quickly snatched his hand back and rubbed it a bit. "Uh... nice to meet you?"
Christina gave a sheepish little smile after Melody had made her introduction, lifting a hand to rub the back of her neck. "Uhm... hey. I'm Christina, it's nice to meet you too. Sorry about Melody, she's a little... excited." She stepped over besides her new friend, smiling a little more easily at Blaine.
He looks about the same age as Melody. Wonder if I'm really the only one of my age group who just started out... wow, and now I feel old. Good job, Chris'.
Shaking her head, she gestured back at the trees behind her. "But, yeah, as she said, we're lost. We were going to go try find our way back to the main road and up to the Pokémon center on the way to Violet Town. Oh! Maybe you have a map application in your pokégear?"
Blaine frowned and looked down, "Not really. I would have my computer, but I had to leave it behind... which I think is stupid." He added in. "I think I got a broken one though..." He glanced over at the Totodile who obviously had no concept of personal space as it grabbed at the Chikorita's head leaf and then went over and jumped on the Cyndaquil, trying to ride the little mon like some sort of Tauros.
Sindy let out a squeal as the Totodile landed on top of her, managing to squirm out beneath him as the flames on her back billowed up, letting out a string of squeaks and growls while wildly gesturing her tiny arms at him, clearly trying to get something through to him, with the Totodile just standing there, staring at her tantrum with a dumb smile on its maw, its head tilted to the side.
"Damn, that's a shame." Christina sighed and rubbed the back of her head, glancing over at the ruckus with the three 'mons. She walked over and leaned down to pick up Cyndaquil, the flames dying away as she held it up against her chest, the little 'mon seeming to calm down while still glaring daggers at Totodile while Chris' returned to the conversation. "Well, I guess we'll just be going in a straight line and hoping for the best. What about you?"
As the Cyndaquil had her tantrum the Totodile quickly raced at it and picked it up to dance with it, though once she was picked up the 'dile went on over and began poking the Chikorita insistently, almost as if it was born to only poke and be overly annoying. Blossom, who was already angry at the Totodile for yanking her leaf earlier, snapped at the little water Pokemon by attempting to bite at it. Quickly realizing that it was probably best for the Chikorita not to get into a biting contest with something that had so many teeth, Melody reached down and scooped Blossom back into her arms.
Blaine shrugged, "I suppose. I really don't have any better plan." He looked on over at the spazztic water type, "Would any of you be willing to trade?"
"You should come with us then!" Melody suggested... which sounded more like an order if not for the downright peppiness of her voice. "Three trainers together out in the middle of nowhere would definitely be better than not, right? Of course!"
Blaine frowned, "Uh... I asked would any of you be wanting to trade...?" He glanced about and down at the Totodile that was currently running in circles, pausing and catching his breath, then resuming running around like a derp face. "Why me?" He groaned to himself.
"Trade...? Trade what? I don't have any baseball cards with me..." Melody replied, spinning around to face another direction. "They'd get all bent up out here."
Blaine silently stared at her and then hung his head, "You know what I mean." He pointed to the water type who had somehow gotten onto the wooden stump... and somehow, don't even ask Blaine how, he had managed to clamp his large jaws on the top of it and was flailing wildly in the air as drool dripped onto the ground.
Christina, having been watching the Totodile flailing about, was now watching it as it was flailing about with its jaws wrapped around the stump, a barely held-back snort of a snicker escaping her, quickly covering her mouth with her hand to try and hide it. "It, uhm... definitely is lively."
Melody glanced back over at the Totodile. She watched the water Pokemon flailing about, part of her wondering if he had somehow gotten stuck like that. It was sort of cute in its own way... He definitely had some energy to burn. It sort of reminded Melody of something, but the girl was not able to put her finger on it. Slowly, she glanced away from the Totodile and down to Blossom, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Well..." Melody mused, causing the Chikorita in her arms to suddenly begin a small panic. Blossom began to shake her head, a pleading look in her eyes. "No, I couldn't possibly! Me and Blossom are best buds! Well, maybe not best yet... We're friends though, yep! Besides, I think the little guy likes you too much to go with someone else!"
Blaine was about to protest, but then he felt something... wet. He glanced down and somehow the Totodile had not only somehow teleported right in front of him inexplicably fast, but was now busy gnawing on his shoe. Blaine was quick to pull it away and recalled the little demon. "How about you?" He asked, turning to Christina. "Surely you would like a Totodile, no?"
Blinking her eyes back up from watching the Totodile gnawing on Blaine's shoe, Christina's brows raised and she quickly raised a hand to rub the back of her head and glancing off to the side while the Cyndaquil seemed to curl up into a semi-ball in her arms to seem as little and unnoticable as possible. "Oh, uhm, uh... I... mmh, I think I'm good with Sindy here, thanks, heh..."
No way in hell am I taking on something as active as that thing. I may be shooting high, but not that high. "Maybe you just need some time alone with him to... get to know him? Lots of trainers have problems with their Pokémon at first, I hear."
Once the debate on whether the Totodile were going to any of the girls was done with, Sindy seemed to relax a little more, even letting out a little sigh of relief while glancing over at Blossom, waving her little arm over at the grass Pokémon, as if trying to say 'No hard feelings about before?', or even 'What a relief, huh?'. Christina smiled and looked between the two with an obvious eagerness in her eyes. "Either way, we should get going. I'd like to at -least- reach the center before it got dark, but hopefully we'll get all the way to Violet Town before nightfall. So, let's get going, yeah?"
Blossom nodded in response to Sidny, letting out a small, pleasant sounding chirp before she snuggled against Melody. This earned a small giggle from the said girl, before she turned and nodded at Christina. She flashed the girl a rather toothy-looking grin, rocking back and forth on her heels as if she could not possibly sit around for another moment longer.
"Totally! Let's get going already!" the excited teenager shouted with glee. She glanced over at Blaine, flashing him a similar smile that she had to Christina. "Ready, buddy?"
Blaine sighed and looked down at his ball, putting it once more on his belt, "Yeah, I suppose so. Soooo.... You two SURE you don't want a Totodile?" He asked in an almost pleading voice as he followed the two along.