Part 2: Paths
The cruise ship S.S. Aqua boomed as it reached Olivine Citys port. Crowds gathered and cheered as they waited for their relatives, loved ones, or friends. Streamers lined up on the buildings and the port was extremely noisy.
The cruise ship boomed again as steam poured out from the long, gigantic tubes protruding from the ship. The sky was cloudless and the sun shined brightly as its rays touched the excited crowd. It was a beautiful day.
Move it, buster! Michelle yelled as she pushed off an adult next to her. Ignoring the yells of frustration, she dragged her twin brother, Nick, across the crowd.
Michelle, why cant we wait in the back? Nick yelled as he tried to make himself noticeable.
Michelle continued to push her way through the crowd, ignoring Nicks advice. Fourteen years old and still a Pokmon trainer, Michelle and her brother resorted into traveling around Johto for a while.
Her short blond hair was tied behind her. She followed the current trend nowadaysshe wore an open red jacket and a tight, black tank top under it. She wore really, short denim shortsthings that made her brother somewhat uneasy. Her white shoes were neatly cleaned.
Her brother on the other hand, was a boy who wore a long sleeved red shirt and faded denim pants that were ripped near the bottom. He wore dark boots and his hair was short and clean cut.
Move off! Michelle yelled as she bumped into an elderly woman.
Michelle! Mind your manners! Her brother yelled as they continued on their way towards the cruise ship.
Soon, the ships stairs were lowered and people were starting to descend. As Michelle burst from the crowd, a thin yellow plastic line dividing the spectators and the passengers stopped her and Nick.
See him? Nick asked.
Michelle shrugged as she looked around. People in suits and cloaks burst out from the cruise ship. Many brought their luggage with them and many of them were trainers. Some chatted with their friends as they descended while some others simply walked down from the ship. These people all came from Hoenn, Michelle and Nicks home region.
Wait, isnt that him? Nick pointed to a green haired boy descending from a ship. Its him! Nick then waved his arms frantically. Jeremy! Hey, Jeremy!
The boy looked around as he heard his name being called. He looked over at Nick and Michelle and smiled. He quickly descended from the steps and headed towards them.
Nick, Michelle! He cried as he walked towards them. Jeremys hair was neatly combed and he was wearing a simple white shirt and blue denim pants. His shoes were full of scratches and traces of mud. Its good to see you guys! Jeremy was a year younger than Nick and Michelle. He was their childhood friend since Nick and Michelles parents were friends of Jeremys father.
Nick smiled but Michelle kept a blank expression. Cmon, Jeremy, we gotta get out of this place for a while!
Jeremy nodded then went under the plastic yellow line to get to his friends. So hows the training going? He asked Nick as Michelle led the way out of the crowd.
Its pretty much going well! Came Nicks reply. He had to yell since around them, it was loud and noisy.
They continued to chat loudly until they finally managed to get out of the crowd. Jeremy looked around enthusiastically at the new world. He smiled excitedly as he looked back Nick and Michelle. Nick was smiling back while Michelle had a blank expression.
Hey, why dont we guys go around the city for a bit? He asked them, his voice was full of excitement.
That sounds like a great idea, Jeremy! Nick exclaimed. Behind him, Michelle yawned in boredom.
Jeremy laughed after Michelle yawned. It looks like you guys didnt change one bit, huh? It was so funny back then to see your parents separate you both, Michelle sent out a small glare at Jeremy that silenced him from his laughter.
Dont worry about Michelle. Shes changed quite a bit! Nick said. Now, lets go around town!
~*~*~*~
The three walked along Olivine citys sidewalks. Small houses lined neatly along the neighborhood filled with good people and a few buildings filled the urban area. But what stood out most was the lighthouse that towered in front of the great, vast sea.
Nick and Jeremy talked happily for a while, Michelle trailing behind them. She sighed and tried to get attention from them but all failed. She wasnt getting much attention from her old friend as much as Nick.
After eating and catching up, the group decided to go to the beach and sleep there.
~*~*~*~
Michelle sat on the sandy beach, gazing at the setting sun. Boredom was evident on her. She stayed silent for the rest of the day. All she did was listen to the two boys talking about training, gym battles, missing contests, and traveling.
Behind her, she could here them talk again and again, occasionally, laugh. The two were always like that. Boys will be boys. Michelle sighed softly as she looked at the sunset. The placid sea sparkled in bright colors of red and orange and danced around as the sea led up to the horizon where the sun was now a bright crescent. The first stars of the night started to appear and the sky was flowing in shades of purple, pink, and gold.
She looked around the seaweed-strewn beach and rested her head on her knees. She sighed again as the gentle sea breeze blew softly on her face.
Hey Michelle! Ill be getting some firewood and you need to entertain Jeremy here! Nick called.
Michelle looked back at her brother and nodded. Beside him was Jeremy, smiling eagerly.
Okay, Ill be going now!
Michelle continued to look at the sunset and heard the steps of her brother walking away. When the footsteps disappeared, she heard Jeremy sit next to her.
Hey, Michelle! He grinned as he sat next to her. You did change a lot. You didnt say a lot this day, huh?
Michelle sighed. I guess Came her reply. Im just not surprised that youre here. Im not excited at all
Why?
I dunno. Its justseeing your face made me feel homesick. Im not bored of you or something, I was excited when I heard youre going to come here. She sighed heavily. I miss homethats all
Jeremy laughed. Of course you miss home! Your mom and dad miss you, too. I bet my dad will, too. And my mom, tooI just wish that shes still here His cheerful expression turned into an expression of sorrow. Even though I always saw a picture of mom, I miss her
Michelle looked at her childhood friend and realized what it meant. Jeremys father has a very rare disease that would make anyone who gets infected by it, weak and unable to do a lot of things. Though his father had this disease, he did become a great trainer in Hoenn. Then Jeremys father got married. When Jeremy was born, his mother contracted the disease, too. He was six years old when she died. With no one to physically support the family, Nick and Michelles parents, being Jeremys fathers old friends, helped him.
Im sorry I made you remind
No its okay, Michelle. Its all right to miss someone. I missed you guys, too! His expression returned to his happy self.
Michelle smiled weakly and then returned to looking at the sunset. Jeremy looked at the sunset, too.
Isnt it beautiful? Jeremy sighed. Ive never seen a great sunset like this for ages! He then paused. Michelle, didnt you say before that you had a boyfriend? He asked her.
Michelle was immediately struck by the question. She immediately became alarmed when Jeremy asked her the question. Wellyeahbutno! I meanJeremy, I have to talk to you about something
Huh?
II dont really have a boyfriendI just told you about it becauseI thought that he would like me even though I havent told him that I like him yet She whispered solemnly.
Oh, Im sorry I asked you that question
Its okay
Jeremy smiled, seeing that she was fine now. He immediately changed the subject. Arent you cold with your clothes?
No, Michelle shook her head. No Im not
He laughed as she shook her head. Nick told me about you changing your clothes. He said that youre trying to be a stereotype or something,
I am not! She argued back. Just dont believe what Nick tells you about me!
Jeremy laughed again. You did change,
As the sun had finally set, they noticed that something was wrongNick should be here by now but he isnt.
He couldve been late. Its just easy to find firewood around here! Michelle muttered as she stood up. She looked over where Nick and Jeremy talked earlier and noticed something. Six red and white spheres lay on the sand. He left his Pokmon! She exclaimed as she quickly scooped the Pokballs.
He what?
He left his Pokballshe could get in danger She placed Nicks Pokballs in her pocket. Come on, Jeremy. Lets find him,
~*~*~*~
The two ran in the darkness; their path lit by the rays of the moon. They were north of Olivine city, trying to find him. Nick could be in danger since he forgot his Pokballs. Michelle gritted her teeth at her brothers stupidity. She ran as fast as she could with Jeremy trailing behind her, panting for air.
Michelle He gasped as he managed to catch up with her. Slow down!
I cant slow down, Jeremy! She yelled. I just hate it when he acts so stupid and smart at the same time!
~*~*~*~
Easy there, Nick yelled. He was up a tree, avoiding a pack of Houndours below. They growled and barked at Nick who was defenseless after noticing that his Pokballs werent in his pockets. He resorted into climbing a tree to avoid the Houndours painful attacks.
This is bad He muttered to himself. Michelle or Jeremy might not even notice that Im missing. I bet theyre having a good time A smirk surfaced on Nicks face even though he was in danger. My sister is already grown up
Nick! Michelle called from the distance. Nick, where are you?
Wait, is that them?
Nick? Jeremys voice followed.
Im right here! Nick yelled. Be careful! There are Houndours here!
Houndours? Nick heard Jeremy ask Michelle. Michelle replied explaining that they are much like Poochyenas in Hoenn, but breathe fire.
Were coming Nick! Hang on!
I am already hanging on to a tree you know! Nick yelled. He then heard footsteps, which exited him. He knew that it was Michelle and Jeremy. Then, he heard the sounds of Pokballs being opened and the growls of Pokmon.
Within that darkness that shrouded them, he saw a blinding light. He saw a tall, white and green Pokmon with slim and slender arms overlooking at the Houndours. Next to the lonely looking Pokmon was a tall, blue turtle Pokmon with cannons from the back and pointed towards the Pokmon.
Hydro pump!
Shock wave!
Nick saw water rushing out from the cannons of the Blastoise. It blasted the growling Houndours away but some remained. The rest were finished off with a powerful electric blast from the Gardevoir.
Soon, the Houndours retreated yelping in pain and in terror. Nick climbed down from the tree, happy to meet his sister once more.
Thanks guys! He exclaimed. And I thought you guys werent going to rescue me because you were both busy doing something else Nick snickered.
Michelle was about to pounce at Nick but then noticed that Jeremy was smiling. Instead, she took out Nicks Pokballs and shoved them into his hand. You shouldnt leave you Pokmon no matter what! She muttered to him.
Nick smiled. Oh well, lets go back then!
Nick was leading the way and Michelle and Jeremy were both trailing behind him. Michelle yawned and looked at Jeremy. A wave of nostalgia surrounded her like a soft, warm blanket. She moved closer to him and felt warmth inside her.
Jeremy looked at her and smiled. He noticed that hed grown tall over the years. Before, he was always the shortest of the three. Now, he was virtually taller than Michelle and matching Nicks height. Youve changed so much
Huh? How? Michelle asked him. She spoke softly and silently.
Jeremy sighed. WellIll tell the truth. I think youve grown beautiful
Michelle blushed as she heard this. She looked down immediately. Thank you She whispered.
~*~*~*~
Michelle woke up and realized that it was the middle of the night. The stars still remained in the sky and a beam of light just flashed by and then disappeared. She stared at the sky for a few seconds and saw that beam of light pass by again. She sat up and realized that she slept on the beach, her brother some few feet away from her. The smoldering embers of the campfire were slowly lifted up and then flew with the wind.
She noticed that the beam of light that kept passing her every few seconds was the lighthouse. She looked around her and noticed that Jeremy was awake. He was sitting, facing the placid sea, and overlooking the reflection of the moons rays and feeling the soft, brisk gale of the ocean breeze. She stood up slowly and steadily and walked towards Jeremy. She sat next to him and looked over at the peaceful ocean.
The sea reminds me so much of my mother Jeremy sighed. She used to live near the beach and she always plays with me even though she was sickand dad would be there, too. He then looked at her. Michelle,
Huh?
Do you thinkdo you think Ill get my dads disease soon? He asked her firmly and straightforward. And do you think Ill die young?
No. I dont think so. You dont look sick!
Jeremy sighed and looked at the stars above. While I was at the ship, going here, your parents called me and told me that my dad was confined again
Hes sick again? Michelle asked. But mom and dad told me that hes not going to be sick again!
I dont know Jeremy replied. My dad was always sick. I think that Ill get sick like him someday He said solemnly.
Dont say that! She quickly faced him and got his attention. Youre not going to get sick! You wont die like your mom! Neither will your dad!
Jeremy smiled. Thank you, Michelle. Youve always been a great friend to me.
Michelle smiled, too. She laid her head on Jeremys shoulder as both of them looked at the peaceful ocean, reflecting the rays of the moon. I dont want to be just a friend, Jeremy She whispered softly. I dont want you to die. I want toI want to be with youforever
Jeremy placed his arm around her. Thank you He whispered back. I promise you wont be just a friend
Do you really promiseJeremy?
I do. I promiseand well be happy together