~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Three: Reporters and Thugs
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"No Jack! Please, don't kill me! I have done nothing!" A man in a dark uniform knelt in front of Jack.
"You don't deserve to live," Jack said, raising a gun and pointing it at the man.
The man leapt forward and grasped Jack's legs. "Please! Don't kill meeee!"
Suddenly they were underwater. Jack could hardly breathe, and the man was still pleading, but none of his words were comprehendible; all that came out were bubbles. Jack lowered the gun and pulled the trigger. Bubbles streamed out and the man screamed. The scream was heard by Jack, even underwater. Jack broke the surface of the water and laughed a cruel laugh, as if rejoicing in the man's death.
He kept laughing, but now he was in a chair in a courtroom.
Jack.
He just laughed his head off, despite the congregation in the courtroom, many of whom were crying.
Jack.
"You didn't have to kill him! He's done nothing to you!" A lady was shouting.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
"Why'd you shoot my daddy mister? He didn't hurt you," a little boy was saying.
"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!"
Jack!
"NO!!!" Jack sat up, breathing heavily and covered in sweat.
<Jack, what's wrong?> Static asked. He was sitting on the footboard of the bed.
"I didn't mean to, Static. I didn't mean to shoot him. I'm sorry," Jack choked, tears running down his face. "I didn't mean to… I'm sorry… I d-didn't… I'm s-sorry…"
Static crawled over to Jack and wrapped his thick arms around his trainer. <I know Jack, it was an accident. You didn't mean it.> He knew what Jack was upset about.
"I was l-laughing at him, and his w-wife and son were there, and they were upset, a-and I was laughing," Jack cried, holding Static close.
<It was just a nightmare, Jack. Just a dream.>
"I know. I'm sorry."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Did you sleep well, dear?" Carey asked as she put a plate of eggs and sausage in front of Jack. They were in the kitchen, James sitting across from Jack and Carey sitting down in her place to Jack's right.
"Not really." He picked up his fork and speared a sausage moodily.
He looked up to see James and Carey with their heads bowed and their hands folded.
"Dear Lord, we thank you for this food we have this morning, this beautiful day you have given us, and this wonderful young man we could help. We praise you with all our hearts. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Jack had hastily put his fork down and folded his hands as well, his face red with embarrassment. Religious things always made him uneasy. As James finished the blessing, Carey said 'Amen", and Jack said it as well.
"Forgive us if we made you uncomfortable, Jack. It's just a tradition of ours to say the blessing before we eat," James said in his slow voice.
Jack mumbled a response, not meeting the man's eyes. The three began eating in silence while Static and Burrow the Sandslash ate in the kitchen.
"Jack, are you sure you're okay? You don't look well." Carey was looking at him with concern.
"Had a bad dream," Jack said hollowly. A lump formed in his throat and he swallowed hard.
"It didn't have anything to do with yesterday, did it?" James asked.
Jack nodded and took a bite of eggs. The fluffy scrambled eggs tasted dry. With difficulty, he swallowed them and took a drink of orange juice.
The laughing began in his head and he could hear the man screaming.
"It was about a man," Jack mumbled. He fought back tears and looked at his plate of half-eaten food. Even though they looked concerned, the two adults had been respectful enough not ask what happened.
They finished their meal in silence, then Jack went to prepare his stuff for the trip to Viridian.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack and Static were standing in the foyer of the house. James and Carey were shaking Jack's hand and Burrow was talking to Static.
"This is our phone number, call if anything happens," Carey said. She handed Jack a piece of paper. Jack looked at it. It said the number, then under it, "James and Carey Migoto."
Jack thanked them, and then opened the door. They all walked out on the porch and Jack walked down the steps. He turned. "Thanks again, Mr. and Mrs. Migoto!" he said. Static said goodbye to Burrow, then jumped down and caught up to Jack. The two walked down the driveway and onto the road.
"He's a fine young man," James said to his wife.
She nodded. "I bet Megan would like him."
"Maybe. There's a chance that they will meet in Viridian."
"I hope Megan's safe. I would be glad if the two of them traveled together. That Elekid is strong."
"Definitely."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack and Static walked up the path, Viridian City in clear sight. It was noon and Static had been practicing Fire Punch the entire time. At the sight of the city, Static had stopped practicing and charged ahead, leaving Jack in a cloud of dust. Jack had hardly noticed; his mind was still on the previous day. Something seemed odd, or out of place, and Jack wanted to find out.
There were two Elite Four members in Cherrygrove yesterday. Lorelei by the bus stop and Flint on the ferry. Then there were those visions. Where did they come from? Jack thought to himself.
<Jack! Hurry up!> Static yelled from far ahead.
Jack ignored him. Then there were those goons on the boat.
You shot one of them.
They were obviously bad men, but why would they try stealing Pokémon for no reason? They couldn't be Team Rocket; they were defeated about 20 years ago and Giovanni is said to be dead. Why then would they want to steal them out of the blue? Surely if some evil organization had formed, the government would know. I wonder—
<Jack! Get your butt up here!> Static was standing on top of a welcome sign.
"Static, get down from there!" Jack called and started jogging to catch up. When Jack had reached the sign, Static jumped down onto Jack's shoulders.
<Let's get a move on, we are almost there!>
Jack began walking into the city, taking note of the surroundings. It wasn't much different then Violet. Both were about the same size, same traffic, the Pokémon around the town were pretty common—it had a gym and it led to the Pokémon League entrance—and the environment seemed the same.
After asking directions from passing people, Jack found his way to the Pokémon League registration building. It was two stories and looked almost like a regular office building. The boy and his Elekid crossed the parking lot and entered the building. Cool air greeted them, and a secretary at the front desk addressed them.
"Sir, are you here to register in the Indigo League as an official trainer?" She asked without looking over.
"Uh, yes ma'am." Duh. Why else would I be here?
"Name?"
"Jack Surge."
"Age?"
"15."
The lady turned to face Jack. She stared at him through thin square glasses before saying, "Please take a seat, and you will be called back momentarily. There is a newscast here doing a little thing on beginning trainers. It's a common time for them to start new journeys."
Jack nodded and took his seat, Static sitting on his lap. Great. This place will be filled with a bunch of 13 year olds thinking they're all that. This will be a bit unpleasant. Suddenly, Jack's mind pulsed again, just as it had on the boat, his vision turning a shade of purple, only this time he didn't see any visions. He shuddered after the feeling passed.
<What just happened?> asked Static. He had felt Jack shiver.
"N-nothing. I'm fine." Jack shook the feeling off.
A lady opened up a door and looked at Jack. "Jack Surge? Would you please come this way?"
Jack picked up Static and put him on his shoulders and followed the lady into the back room. As he passed through the door, he was greeted by a large room with desks lining the walls, each desk with a computer. At each desk there was an employee with a young teenager behind them. At the far side was a long counter with employees behind it.
"Right this way, please." The lady led Jack to a computer along a wall and she sat down at it.
The lady made a few clicks and then spoke to Jack. "Full name?"
"Jack Allen Surge."
"Age?"
"15."
"Date of birth?"
Jack sighed. "This will take a while?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
After giving the lady all the required info, she asked for ID. Jack gave her his driver's permit. Ten minutes later, she was done asking questions. A few more clicks and then she stood up. "Your registration is complete." Then she led Jack to a wall with a white sheet draped on it and a camera in front. Jack stood in front of the camera and the lady snapped a photo. Then she led him back to the desk. Please wait here while I print your license. She walked across the room into another back room that read, 'Employees only.'
Jack stood waiting, and Static hopped off his shoulders. <Have you decided which starter to choose yet?>
"Gah! I forgot! Let's see, Squirtle, Charmander, or Bulbasaur. Which do you think is best?"
<I say Charmander, because fire is really cool!> Static ignited a flame in his hand as if to do Fire Punch.
A couple young teenagers took notice and pointed.
"What Pokémon is that?"
"I don't know, but it looks like it is using a fire type move."
"It looks like an electric type."
Soon a small crowd of 13 year olds had gathered around Static and were watching him use the three different Element Punches. Static seemed to enjoy this, as he began doing two punches at a time.
"Static, would you stop showing off?" Jack said to the Elekid, acting as if what Static was doing wasn't all that.
"Hey you! Are you this Pokémon's trainer?" a kid with black hair asked.
"Uh, yeah," Jack said.
"Wow, you must be really strong. Are you here to see new trainers start?"
"Are you from the Pokémon League?"
"Of course he isn't." A boy with long blond hair said, walking over to the group. The boy didn't look any older then 14. He swept his bangs out of his eyes and pointed at Static. "That is an Elekid. It is the pre-evolved form of Electabuzz. That means that it hasn't matured and gained enough experience to evolve, unless the trainer won't let it evolve, which I doubt." His voice had an air of confidence in it, as if the boy knew he was better than everyone else. "Furthermore," he said, looking at Jack with a sneer, "the trainer is just now registering. He is not a League member and is as inexperienced as the rest of you."
Jack had been growing angrier with every word the blond kid said. The boy had blatantly insulted Static as a Pokémon and Jack as a trainer.
"Hey kid, what makes you the expert? Have any Pokémon? " Jack asked with a half-confident voice.
"As a matter of fact, I do happen to have a Pokémon. After you get a license, we'll battle in the park. 3:00. You'd better be there, loser." The blond kid turned and walked to the door.
Then, without warning, Static moved with Quick Attack speed in front of the blond kid.
<Excuse me, sir. My name is Static.> Static said, holding out a hand to shake. The blond kid squatted down to be level with Static then said,
"My name's Chris. Not nice to meet you." He pushed Static's hand away, and then began to stand up. But as he did so, Static grabbed his hand and pulled it forward, then slammed his other clenched yellow hand into Chris's face. The blond kid fell back in surprise, clutching his face. Jack had been frozen in place the entire time, watching with disbelief.
The blond kid stood up again and tried kicking Static, only to get his foot shocked on contact. Static took the blow but stayed on his feet. Chris, however, stumbled and fell on his butt. Angry and embarrassed, the boy leapt to his feet and ran to the door, yelling back, "I'll beat you, you fat *** Pokémon! I'll pulverize you in battle!" He pushed the door open and sprinted out, leaving a stunned crowd of kids, employees, and Jack, looking at the door. Static shrugged his tiny shoulders, and then turned to Jack.
<Pretty great, eh?> Glee was obvious on the Pokémon's face.
"Static, don't do that again. We could get our license suspended for attacking trainers."
<Hey, if someone plays dirty, you play dirty back. You can't let someone trash talk you like that.>
"Yeah, whatever," Jack mumbled, turning to the crowd. "Uh, there isn't anything to see here so, just, just go back to whatever you were doing."
The group of people slowly cleared, leaving Jack and Static alone by the computer desk. The lady that had been printing Jack's license then came walking out with an envelope. She handed it to Jack.
"In it are your trainer card and certificate of registration. The certificate is just an extra document you keep in case you lose your card. Then you show the certificate to an employee at any registration office and we can give you another license, but that will cost quite a lot of money."
Jack took the envelope and opened it up. He pulled out the card and looked at it. It was red, with his picture on the right and his personal information on the left. He stuck it in his wallet and looked at the certificate. It had the same basic stuff written on it. He put the certificate back in the envelope, and then put it in his backpack.
"If you're ready, you can get your starter now," the lady said. As they walked over to the counter, a TV crew came out of a back room and walked over to the counter. A man in a suit holding a microphone began speaking to the camera about how trainers began their journeys here.
Jack tried to ignore them, but the camera equipment was distracting. He looked over to the other side of the white counter at another employee. The employee was pressing a few buttons on the back wall. He turned to face Jack. Three Pokéballs rose from holes in the counter and sat in front of Jack.
"These here are da startin' pogeys. Bulbasaur, Charmander, an' Squirtle. Which do you want, kid?" The man asked. He had an unshaven face and crooked teeth. He didn't look as if he cared for his job much.
Jack looked down at Static, who was climbing up Jack's leg to see well. "Which do you want again?" Jack asked his Pokémon as it sat on Jack's shoulders.
<Charmander would be cool. I don't know any moves that have an advantage on him, so we'd be equal.>
Jack seemed to be hit by a revelation. Instead of choosing one that he would be better than, Static had chosen the Pokémon that would be equal to him, one that would be a challenge to battle. Static really did want to become strong. What and incredible thought for a three year old Pokémon.
"I'll take Charmander," Jack said at once, grabbing the middle Pokéball. He turned and released the Charmander on the navy carpet in front of him. Red light emitted from the Pokéball, then materialized into a small lizard shaped creature. As the Charmander stopped glowing, Jack gasped at what he saw.
The Charmander flashed sparkly light, and then looked up at Jack. In stead of ordinary orange, Charmander's leathery skin was a brilliant gold.
A few others gasped as well. "Is that Charmander…?"
"Shining." Jack said in a hoarse voice. This wasn't real. He couldn't believe it.
"Hey, look over here," the reporter said in a fast voice. "Could it be? Why, it is! This young man has chosen a shining starter! As many of you know, shining Pokémon are incredibly rare and are hardly ever seen. Shining Pokémon, or alternate-colored Pokémon, are Pokémon with altered genetic coding that results in an off colored appearance. Some species have few differences, while others, such as the Charmander family, are drastically different from their ordinary species. Also, they radiate an immense amount of energy during evolution. Ten times more than ordinary Pokémon. Let's find out what the new owner of this shining Pokémon has to say." The reporter took his camera crew over to Jack.
"Well, young man. How do you feel about obtaining this incredibly rare Pokémon?"
Jack hadn't listened to the question. He had bent down and rescued the little Charmander from the crowd. With the little lizard in his arms, he looked at the reporter and asked, "What was the question," while every second his face grew hotter. He was on national television.
"I said how do you feel about obtaining this incredibly rare Pokémon?"
"Um, well, er, it is good, I guess. I mean, even if Charmander's shining, he is still a Pokémon, right?"
"Well, uh, I suppose, but this is not something that happens every day. In the history of the Pokémon League, only seventeen other shining starters have been given. It has been over half a century and only seventeen. Six were Charmanders. How do you suppose your friends and family will feel about this?"
That question hit Jack hard. How would your family and friends feel about this? I have no friends. Mike moved, never made any others. My family doesn't care. Dad's too stuck up, Mom might, but my brother…… he never cared about any of us, Jack thought. He looked at the reporter.
"No further comment." And he snatched the Pokédex that the employee with crooked teeth had placed on the counter, and then proceeded out of the room. Some people tried to follow him, but Jack started running. Across the parking lot and onto the sidewalk, all the while holding his Charmander in his arms.
When he felt he was far away enough from the building, Jack slowed and looked at the Charmander. "You doing alright, buddy?" he asked it.
The Charmander looked at him with tired yet annoyed eyes. <Those people back there were annoying.> the Charmander spoke in a young male voice.
Jack laughed a bit. "They sure were. Do you have a name, little guy?"
The shining Charmander was silent for a bit, then spoke. <…… My name is Sceadon.>
Jack frowned a bit. "Sceadon? Does that have a meaning or anything?"
<…Yes. My mother told me it had to do with my hide color.> Sceadon looked at his leathery arm. <She said that I would know why I was named that when I was ready.>
Odd. I wonder what it means. Jack thought. "Where do you want to go, Sceadon? We could go to the park and train. I have to be there anyway to battle some kid. Do you want to go there?"
<Sure.> Sceadon said, but then his stomach grumbled. <After I have something to eat. I haven't eaten all day.>
"They didn't feed you at the registration building?" Jack asked incredulously.
<No. They only feed us at night to keep our activity and growth rates to a minimum. That's what one of the handlers said.>
<Jack. Don't forget about me.> Static said, thumping Jack's head as if playing the drums. <You really need to cut your hair. Your head is shaggier than an Arcanine's.>
Jack shook his head, causing his shaggy brown hair to smack Static in the face. "My hair is fine," Jack said as he turned a corner on the sidewalk and noticed the park up ahead. "Long hair is cool."
<Cool? As in cold? I don't see how long hair could make you 'cooler.'> Sceadon looked at Jack skeptically.
<Not like that. When humans say they look cool, they mean that they look attractive.>
"It does not mean that!" Jack said indignantly. A man in a business suit passing by jumped as Jack said that and hurriedly walked away, shooting glances back at Jack. Jack sighed. Sometimes he would forget where he was when he was talking to his Pokémon.
<Then what does it mean, master?> Sceadon asked.
"It means that we look acceptable to other humans. That they think we look normal."
<I guess I'm not cool then…> Sceadon said sadly, looking at his tiny gold hand.
"Oh—no, that doesn't mean that! You're being a different color is unique. Sometimes it's better to be different."
<So you mean, you don't think badly of me because I'm gold?>
"Of course not. I couldn't have asked for a better starter Pokémon," Jack said, smiling down at the lizard in his arms.
<Thank you, master.> Sceadon snuggled against Jack, tears forming at the edges of the Charmander's eyes.
"Sceadon? You don't need to call me master. Just call me Jack."
<J-Jack? Is that your name? What does it mean?>
"Oh, um, I don't really know. Is it important?"
<Your name is what you are. I am a Charmander, but Sceadon is my name. Sceadon is what I am. Sceadon is who I am. It is what defines me. Names are of great importance.>
"I see. I've never thought of it that way." Jack looked up. They were at the entrance to the park. "We're here. Static, time to get down; my shoulders are hurting."
Static hopped down and landed softly on the ground next to Jack. They proceeded into the park and looked around. A playground sat on the left, complete with slides, monkey bars, teeter totter, and a jungle gym. To the right was a wide open grass field with two large soccer goals at the end. Straight ahead were some picnic tables in the shade of two large oak trees. The three made their way to a picnic table, where Jack sat Sceadon on the table. Static jumped up to sit next to Sceadon while Jack took off his backpack and rummaged around for food.
<I haven't introduced myself properly yet. I'm Static, the Elekid.> Static told Sceadon.
<Hello. I'm Sceadon, the Charmander. Nice to meet you.> the little gold lizard said back.
Jack pulled out two apples and a small bag of pretzels the Migotos had given him. He gave the two apples to his Pokémon and opened the pretzels for himself.
Static eagerly bit his apple, chewing the piece and biting off another before he swallowed the first bite. Sceadon, however, ate his slowly, chewing and swallowing before taking another bite. This surprised Jack, since Sceadon was obviously starving. With a smile, Jack ate a few pretzels, looking at the sky through the leaves. He sat back against the table.
"It sure is a nice day here in Viridian," Jack said to no one in particular. Static tossed his apple core away and sat next to Jack.
<It is a nice day. Great for training!> Static hopped off the bench and sprinted for the soccer field. The two-foot-tall Pokémon then proceeded to run around the entire soccer field, and then return to Jack. The Pokémon's trainer's mouth hung open.
<You have a lot of energy, Static. You would be good in battles.> Sceadon commented.
<Definitely right about that. Say, Jack. How much longer until that battle with the blond kid?> Static asked, panting from his run.
"About an hour. It's two right now, so at three we'll find that kid."
<Who is this kid you speak of?> Sceadon asked. Jack looked at the Charmander, then smiled and patted its head. Sceadon was young but had incredible manners.
Static explained to Sceadon what had happened, and Sceadon nodded at the end. <He seems like a person who has much confidence. Confidence clouds your judgment. That will be the boy's weak spot.>
Both Jack and Static looked at Sceadon. "Where did you learn that?" Jack asked, blown away at the knowledge Sceadon had.
<Observation. There were some other Pokémon that I lived with that acted the same way.> Sceadon replied, finishing the last of his apple.
"Mmhmm, wow. That's very smart. Alright. We'll blow this kid away," Jack said.
<You do not look very excited, Jack. Do you not want to battle this trainer?> Sceadon asked, looking inquisitively at Jack with big eyes.
"No, I'm excited. I just don't think it is worth jumping around for," Jack answered. It was true; he never did show excitement or enthusiasm very well. Most people passed him off as boring, but Static knew this about him and hardly ever complained.
<Anyway, I'm going to practice Fire Punch.> Static said, walking on short legs to a tree. He sat against the trunk and held out his hand and fire ignited in it for a few seconds, and then died down. Static continued this, each time holding it a fraction of a second longer.
<He is very dedicated,> Sceadon remarked. <He will do well in this upcoming battle.>
"I suppose he will," Jack said, picking up the little Charmander and sitting it in his lap, careful to not get hit by the flaming tail. "What about you, Sceadon? What do you want to do during a Pokémon journey?"
<Why are asking me? You are my trainer, and I follow your orders. That is the way of Pokémon trainers, is it not?> Sceadon leaned against Jack and looked up at him.
"It may be for some, but not for me. You have your own dreams and you can choose for yourself what you want to do."
<Jack…Thank you…> Sceadon said, hugging Jack with small arms.
"Your welcome," Jack said, smiling and hugging Sceadon back.
<I think battling in gyms would be fun,> Sceadon said thoughtfully. <I want to do something that can improve my skills.> Sceadon looked away embarrassedly as he said that.
"Hey, buddy, don't worry. I'll help you improve your skills and become the best Charmander there is. Unless of course you want to evolve, then you can be the greatest Charizard. Put your skills together with you being shining and everyone will admire you." Jack looked to the sky. Everyone will admire you… I wish that could be me as well.
<I think I would like that.> Sceadon said, nuzzling its head against Jack's chest. <Then I can be noticed for who I am, not what I am.> He looked at his golden arms again.
"You know that humans admire shining Pokémon. It isn't a bad thing that you are a different color."
<Really? All the Pokémon I see says I am a disgrace.>
"Don't listen to them anymore. Be proud of your coloring. It makes you unique," Jack said, smiling at his Charmander. He had chosen a good partner.
The two talked for a while, getting to know each other and enjoying the shady spot under the oak tree. Static joined the conversation, and they hovered over certain battle tactics, which Sceadon picked up easily despite his young age. When it was 2:55, Jack, Static, and Sceadon started walking to the park entrance to find the kid Chris. As they were passing the playground, Jack noticed something on the other side of it. A girl was talking to three men, taking a few steps back from them. One of the men shouted something and the girl cringed. Another man raised his fist.
"HEY!" Jack called to the men. He turned and ran across the playground, his Pokémon close behind. "What is the problem here?" He said as he reached them.
"Hey Joey, dis kid is talkin' to us," One man said in a gangster voice.
"Yeah, kid, don' bodder us."
Jack stepped back from the men. They looked dangerous. He glanced at the girl. She looked about the same age as Jack, with long, light-brown hair and bangs hanging to her eyes, which were also brown. She was wearing a tight blue tank top and a red skirt. She looked a bit scared, but her face was blushed. She glanced at Jack and suddenly he knew who it was. It was Megan Migoto, the daughter of James and Carey.
"Go away, kid, if you knows what's good fer ya."
Jack tried to think of something brave to say, but he couldn't. "Get behind me," he said to Megan, desperately trying to think of something.
"Look at da boy, he's tryin' to protect tha' girl." One of the men advanced.
<Get away, fathead!> Static said, stepping up in front of Jack.
"What's dat thing? Thinks it can protect the kids? I've seen cereal boxes bigger than it." The man laughed and the other two joined in.
<Don't underestimate me!> Static yelled angrily, jumping up and slamming a Thunder Punch into the man's face. The man gave a cry and stumbled back, then looked down at Static.
"You God damn midget!" He aimed a kick at the Elekid, who dodged it and slammed a Fire Punch into the man's planted leg. The big man howled in pain, falling down and clutching the burnt spot on his calf. During this, Megan had grabbed Jack's arm and squeezed it in fright. Jack glanced at her, and then addressed the three men.
"Leave us alone," he said without much confidence.
"Like hell we won't!" Another man yelled and charged at Jack. Suddenly, Sceadon climbed up Jack and stood on his head. He inhaled deeply, and then blew fire right at the man.
"Graahhhh!" screamed the man as he caught fire. He dropped to the ground and started rolling around on the rubber tire shavings that covered the playground. Jack was stunned. The third man looked at Jack, then the Pokémon, then turned and ran away. The two others got up and followed him, screaming curses back at Jack and his Pokémon. When they had passed out of the park through the gate, Jack realized he had been holding his breath. He exhaled deeply, then sat on the ground and put his head in his hands.
"Thank you," Megan said, and Jack looked up. "They asked for some money, and I thought they were charity collectors or something. They laughed when I said that, and kept asking me for my money. I told them that I didn't have much, but they kept asking. That's when you came."
Jack stared at her with his jaw hanging open slightly. She thought they were charity collectors? She was getting mugged, but she didn't realize it?
"I'm Megan Migoto, beginning Pokémon trainer. What's your name?" she asked kindly.
"I'm Jack. Jack Surge. Also beginning Pokémon trainer," Jack answered, shaking Megan's hand.
"So where are you from, Jack?" Megan asked, sitting down next to him. This made Jack a bit uncomfortable. She was kind of close. Jack stood up and offered her his hand.
"Let's sit over by that bench instead of on the ground. The burnt rubber smells bad." It was true; the tire shavings the man had rolled in had burnt and smelled. Megan took his hand and stood up.
"Are these your Pokémon?" she asked, nodding at Static and Sceadon. The two Pokémon walked over to their trainer. Jack picked up Sceadon, cautious of his tail, and Static walked by his side.
"Yeah, they are. I've had Static, my Elekid, for about three years. I just got Sceadon today," Jack said, nodding to the Charmander, who was shaking a bit from the large Ember it had just used.
The two trainers sat on the bench, and Jack looked at Megan. "I'm from Violet City in Johto."
"Wow, that's far away. Why did you come here?" she asked, her soft brown eyes looking at him curiously. Jack blushed and pretended to look at the sky. She's pretty.
"Uh, well, I didn't want to be in Johto, so I thought I'd come here." He hated to lie to her, but he didn't want to tell the truth.
"I'm from Pallet Town. I got my license there, and I was supposed to meet my cousin here, but she is sick and won't be coming for another week or so."
"I met your parents in Pallet," Jack said slowly. "They were really nice people."
"Oh, you met my parents?"
"Yeah. It's a long story, but when I got to Pallet, all the hotels were full or too expensive, and there wasn't a Pokémon Center, but I met your mom and she let me stay the night at your house."
Megan suddenly blushed. "Did you see my room?" she asked.
"No, I never looked in," Jack said honestly.
<I did though. Burrow showed me. It was white and pink, with posters of some girl singing—> Static began, but Megan gave a yelp and Jack cut him off.
"What were you doing in there?! You shouldn't go snooping around someone's house," Jack said as sternly as he could.
"Will you look at that? The guy has a girlfriend, how sweet. I'm sorry to say that you will be humiliated in front of her."
Jack's snapped to his right. Chris was standing there, looking at him with a smug expression. Static hopped off the bench and faced the blond kid. <Come on, Jack. Let's beat this guy.>
Jack stood up as well. "S-she's not my girlfriend. We just met." Chris laughed at that.
"Whatever. Let's go over here and battle." Chris jerked his thumb to the empty soccer field. He turned and walked toward it.
Megan stood up and said, "Why does he think I'm your girlfriend?"
Jack looked back at her. "Well, we were talking together, so I guess he assumed… Whatever. Do you want to watch the battle?" Wow, she's pretty naïve to not understand that…
Megan nodded and followed Jack to the field. Jack, Megan, Static, and Sceadon stood half way between center field and the penalty box. Chris took the same position on the other side of the field.
"Alright, loser! One on one battle!" Chris yelled, holding up one finger. Jack nodded, then pointed.
"Static! Let's do this!"
Static ran out and stood at center field.
Chris held out a Pokéball. "Pulverize that wimp, Macho!" He threw the Pokéball and a Machoke materialized. Jack clenched his fist. This might be harder then he thought.
"Static, Machoke will use close combat moves. Try to avoid getting close!" Jack called. Static nodded in agreement. The Elekid started bouncing on its toes, ready for anything.
Chris laughed. "Earthquake," he directed his Machoke. The blue Pokémon raised its massive arms in preparation to slam them into the ground.
Jack hesitated for a moment in surprise, the yelled, "Gonna have to get close! Stun it with a Quick Attack!"
Static dashed forward in a blur and slammed into Machoke before it could hit the ground.
"Vital Throw." Chris said calmly.
Machoke rolled back after impact, then lunged forward and grabbed Static. He raised the Elekid in the air and spun once before throwing him to the ground. Jack winced when Static hit the ground and Megan gasped.
Jack called out, "Static! Hang in there! Hit it with Swift!" Static quickly recovered and jumped back, then thrust his hands out. Glowing stars shot from his hands and collided with Machoke, who tried blocking with his arms.
"Foresight," Chris commanded. When the stream of stars stopped, Machoke's eyes glinted, and then it roared at Static.
"Give it up, Jack. This next move will end it. DYNAMIC PUNCH!" Chris shouted.
Machoke sprinted forward towards Static, its fist raised and glowing.
Jack thought fast. With Foresight, the punch would hit. Unless…
"Static! Thunder Punch his Dynamic Punch!"
Static smiled, even though Jack couldn't see him. The small electric Pokémon ran toward its opponent, his fist crackling with electricity. The two Pokémon threw their fists together. At the last second, Static opened his small hand and grabbed Machoke's. Static knew what to do before Jack said it.
"Now, Ice Punch!" Jack called. Static pulled himself forward using Machoke's hand, and then with his free hand, nailed an Ice Punch right in the muscle Pokémon's face. The Machoke fell back and Static was falling toward him. With the hand Static used to grab the Dynamic Punch, he slammed a Fire Punch into the falling Machoke's face. Machoke hit the ground and Static landed on the Pokémon's chest. Then Static leapt up as high as he could, and both Jack and Static yelled at the same time, "SHOCK WAVE!" A huge electric pulse emitted from Static's prongs, hitting the Machoke before it could stand up. Static flipped backwards in the air and landed in front of Jack in a crouch position. The Elekid slowly stood up. He was breathing hard from using four techniques in a row.
Machoke tried to get up, shuddered, then collapsed, unconscious. They had won the battle.
Static turned to Jack and gave a thumbs up with his small clawed finger, then ran over and leapt into Jack's arms. <I did it! I won!> Static said happily.
Chris was standing in disbelief. Jack hugged Static, and then put him on the ground. He walked over to shake hands with Chris. "Nice match. It's a good thing we didn't bet money on this match."
Chris returned Machoke to its Pokéball and turned away. "I got unlucky. That's all." Then he walked away, ignoring Jack's hand. Jack looked at him, and then turned to Megan, who was walking over to him.
"That was very impressive. You trained Static well," she said to him. Jack blushed a bit and said,
"He learned that move off an anime that he liked to watch. I just made sure he was doing it right."
Megan laughed. "You're so modest."
Jack turned away and blushed more, swallowing hard and trying to compose himself. Talking to girls was always hard for him. Sceadon, who was standing next to Jack, took notice of this and was about to say something, but thought better. Static was too busy doing a victory dance that looked completely ridiculous to notice. Jack turned around and smiled. "Thanks, Megan."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was seven o'clock and Jack and Megan were sitting in the Pokémon Center eating dinner. Megan had sent out her Pokémon, a Chikorita named Chlora, to play with Jack's Pokémon. The three Pokémon were eating poke food on the floor while Jack and Megan finished their pizza.
"Do you have a room?" Jack asked Megan, taking a bite of his pizza crust.
"I did, but I checked out this morning because I thought my cousin would be here and we'd leave for Pewter."
Jack nodded. "That's a bummer that your cousin can't go with you." He was surprised how fast he had gotten used to talking to her without blushing.
"Yeah, it is. Hey, aren't you going to Pewter tomorrow?" Megan asked.
"Uh, yeah, I am. Why do you ask?" Jack said.
"Well, I was thinking," Megan said, looking down at her plate. "Maybe you and I could travel together!"
Jack choked on his crust. "Wait. Travel with me?"
"Yes! I would have to wait until my cousin got better before I could go anywhere because my mom and dad don't want me travelling alone. Stuff happens, like what happened in the park. So if I traveled with you, I wouldn't be alone! I could meet up with my cousin in Pewter or Cerulean." She looked at Jack, who was looking at her with a weird expression. Megan blushed. "I mean, if you don't want to…"
Jack swallowed hard and said, "No no, I don't mind. It was just a bit unexpected. We could travel together. It would be alright." He looked out the window. Even though the afternoon had been pleasant, by 5:30 it began to rain, and now it was a heavy downpour.
"Alright. We can go together."
The two finished their meal, cleaned up their mess, then walked to the counter to get rooms.
"Excuse me," Jack said to the woman behind the counter. "We'd like to rooms please."
The lady turned around and looked sadly at them. "I'm sorry, but we are renovating in the west wing, so we don't have as many rooms as usual. I don't know why they manager wanted to renovate now; it's the beginning of summer. Newly graduated students become trainers and we always get filled up. Anyways, we have one room left in the east wing, unless you want a room in the construction area. Don't worry. It has two beds."
Jack's face turned red. He would have to sleep in the same room as Megan. Megan, however, wasn't blushing at all, not seeming to fully realize the situation. She is naïve…
"We'll take it," she said. Jack and Megan split the cost of the room, then took their Pokémon and walked off with the card key. They found the room.
"Number 57. Here it is," Jack said. He put the card in and opened the door. The room was small, with a bed on each side and a TV on a cabinet across from the door. Jack took off his backpack and set it on his bed. Static jumped up on the bed and started bouncing.
<Come on up Sceadon. This is fun!> Static said, doing a front flip and landing on his butt.
<My tail will catch the bed on fire. I'd rather not do that.> Sceadon said, looking at Static skeptically.
Megan put her side bag on her bed and took looked around. They had a small bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower in the corner. Chlora the Chikorita jumped up onto her trainer's bed and started jumping. Megan picked up her bag and walked into the bathroom. "I'm going to brush my teeth and change," she told Jack, closing the bathroom door.
Jack grunted a response and turned on the TV. He sat on the end of his bed and pulled his socks and shoes off. He began flipping through channels and noticed that the news channel was doing a report on beginning trainers. The camera was scanning the room Jack had been in earlier that day, and the reporter was talking about the systems used in the registration office.
"Megan, come here! I'm going to be on TV!" Jack called. He turned the volume up so he could here it better over the pouring rain outside. Jack heard the sink run, and then turn off. Megan came out of the bathroom with her pajama pants on and a t-shirt. She sat on her bed and put her bag on the floor at the foot of the bed.
Here I am," Jack said. The camera moved to face Jack.
"Hey, look over here. Could it be? Why, it is! This young man has chosen a shining starter! As many of you know, shining Pokémon are incredibly rare and are hardly ever seen. Shining Pokémon, or alternate-colored Pokémon, are Pokémon with altered genetic coding that results in an off-colored appearance. Some species have few differences, while others, such as the Charmander family, are drastically different from their ordinary species. Also, they radiate an immense amount of energy during evolution. Ten times more than ordinary Pokémon. Let's find out what the new owner of this shining Pokémon has to say." The reporter took his camera crew over to Jack.
"Well, young man. How do you feel about obtaining this incredibly rare Pokémon?"
Jack picked up Sceadon from the floor. "What is the question?"
"I said how do you feel about obtaining this incredibly rare Pokémon?"
"Um, well, er, it is good, I guess. I mean, even if Charmander's shining, he is still a Pokémon, right?"
"Well, uh, I suppose, but this is not something that happens every day. In the history of the Pokémon league, only seventeen other shining starters have been given. It has been over half a century and only seventeen. Six were Charmanders. How do you suppose your friends and family will feel about this?"
"No further comment." Jack said suddenly. He snatched the Pokédex that the employee with crooked teeth had placed on the counter, and then proceeded out of the room.
"Well, the boy doesn't seem to like being in the spotlight. Oh well. Not everyone is outgoing." The reporter turned to the lady that had registered Jack. "Excuse me, ma'am. Did you happen to get that boy's name?"
"Oh, um, yes, as a matter of fact I did," she said, looking flustered and making sure her hair was in place. "His name was Jack Allen Surge."
Jack abruptly stood up and turned off the TV.
"What's wrong?" Megan asked sweetly.
"National television. Now my parents know where I am."
"What's wrong with your parents knowing where you are?" Megan asked, looking confused.
Jack swallowed. He would have to tell her. "Megan," he started, sitting on his bed again. "I ran away from home. My parents didn't know where I went."
Megan gasped. "You ran away? Why?"
"My father is a jerk. He… wouldn't let me follow my dream. He doesn't understand. I never fit in with other people. You have to understand me Megan. I have only had one human friend in my entire life, and he moved a long time ago. After that, I felt lost. But then, I found my dream. To become a Pokémon breeder. To raise Pokémon to their full potential; that is my dream. If I must do gym battles, so be it. If I must capture every single Pokémon known, I will do it. Whatever it takes to gain the title of a famous Breeder, I will do it." Jack realized he was shaking a bit when he finished.
Megan came over and sat down next to him. "I'll help you. To achieve your goal."
Jack looked at her. "Thank you." She gave him a hug, then let go and blushed a bit. Static and Chlora had stopped bouncing and Sceadon had been watching quietly. The scene felt a bit sad, with everyone quiet and the rain pouring down outside.
Jack stood up and grabbed his backpack. "I'm going to change." He walked into the bathroom and closed the door. He changed into his plaid pajama bottoms and took out his toothbrush. While he was brushing his teeth, Megan called from outside.
"Jack! I found a fire resistant blanket in the cabinet for Scea—"
BOOM!
Megan was cut off by the thunder. "Megan? Are you alright?" Jack said when he didn't hear anything.
"…Yeah, I-I'm fine," Megan said in an odd voice. Jack stuffed his tooth brush and tooth paste back in his pack, then opened the door. Megan sat in her bed with the covers pulled up to her chin.
Jack dropped his bag and switched the bed lamp on and the main light off. Then he climbed into bed. Static lay next to him, already asleep. Sceadon lay on the fire resistant blanket on the floor at the foot of the bed. Chlora was asleep next to Megan. Jack looked out the window above the TV as the lighting flashed, then thunder roared.
"Lightning is amazing, isn't it?" he said to Megan, not taking his eyes off the window. Another flash lit the entire room, and then thunder followed. "It is a bit intimidating, but it is neat to see it at night, lighting up the entire sky. I've always enjoyed watching thunderstorms. How about you?" Jack looked over to Megan. She was trembling a bit and he eyes were puffy.
The lightning flashed again and Megan flinched, tears dripping down her cheeks.
"Megan…" Jack started, but was cut off by a loud boom. Megan yelped and pulled the blanket over her head.
"Megan, what's wrong?" Jack asked, getting out of bed. He put his hand on Megan's covered head and said, "Is it the storm?"
The lightning flashed again, and thunder followed. As soon as the thunder roared, Megan leapt out of the bed and hugged Jack close, shaking and crying. Jack awkwardly hugged her back, but she just cried into his chest. "It's scary. It's scary," she cried. Jack sat down on her bed and Megan sat in his lap, still holding him.
"It's alright, Megan. We're safe," he comforted, stroking her hair. He had only known her for less than a day but already felt protective of her. She was shaking with terror. Jack realized what was wrong. She must have astraphobia. Fear of lightning. He held he in his arms as she cried, shaking like a scared puppy.
She stayed in his arms until the storm passed, which wasn't for another two hours. She fell asleep in Jack's arms when it had started to die down, and Jack gently lay her down in her bed. He pulled the blanket over her and stood up straight.
"Good night, Megan," he said softly, then lay down in his own bed, falling asleep within seconds.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At three in the morning, Jack was woken by a buzzing sound coming from his backpack. Groggily, he reached for the zipper and opened it up. Propping himself up on his arm, Jack flipped open his cell phone and answered.
"Hello? Who his it?" he asked in a tired voice.
"Jack? Are you safe?" Flint's voice asked. He sounded worried.
"Yes, why?" Jack said.
"You still have that Charmander?"
"Yeah…"
"If you value your life, you have to get away from Viridian. Now."
End Chapter Three.
Sorry for taking so long to get this one up. And thanks for the review, Bay!
