"The Birth of a Prodigy"

[ProtrainerEon]

"The Birth of a Prodigy"​

One-shot fic starter​

I've never done this before. I am going to write a trainer fic with a girl as the main trainer. I hope I do okay in the eyes of you readers out there. I will try not to make it so boring. So, read if you wish. Reviews would be appreciated. Plain facts and opinions, I don't want to have any "this was ok but still" or anything like that, unless that is really what you think. I want to know simply what can be improved and what is good in the fic (However, once I continue the fic after this one-shot introduction you can say all you want). This story will contain some of my very own recent Pokemon creations later on, and is very LONG. Let me no longer bore you with my non-stop mouth. ​

Enjoy!​

Our story begins within the house belonging to the Petal family.

It was almost morning in the Sylth (Pronounced like "silth, sih-ulth") region. The busy place known as Crystal City was already booming with life, but in Amber Town barely anything was going on. There were a few people here and there but the whole area was basically as dead as a graveyard. A soft glow blanketed Amber Town, as the majority of the town started their day.


Light penetrated the window with ease, casting the shadow of a red haired female against the wall. She wrestled with the snow-white covers in her sleep, trying to find a comfortable position. She woke, but did not open her eyes. She simply turned over and went back to sleep.

Her room was pretty simple. A pink hand-held mirror was laid against her can of pencils. Next to that, a tablet with pictures of her and a boy. One of them in particular had been turned to recently, but something about it was unfinished.

The most noticeable feature in it was the girl herself. Her hair was curly here instead of being held back into a long ponytail. She wore a red shirt with a Pokeball drawn on the chest area, and faded jeans. She had on red striped shoes with a swoosh symbol on the sides. The NIKE symbol. The boy walking down the sidewalk with her wore a black vest over a plain shirt and red sweatpants with thin black streaks running down the middle of both pant legs. They were both smiling, oblivious to the events around them. Wingull flew overhead, and the sky was painted in pastel. Pure, soothing blue gave a pleasant look to the cloudless sky.

Suddenly there was a tap on the young female's window. She stirred, and sat up groggily to see...nothing. She stared a while longer to make sure, but nothing. The girl sighed, and was about to get out of bed (once she saw it was 5:30) and walk out of her room when she heard a yell. It was low due to distance, but sounded urgent.

"Tammy!"

The girl's head snapped to one side in surprise, and she approached the window, pulling back the curtain and peering out. She gasped. That was a rock, the still-sleepy girl figured, that hit her window.

Down below was a blonde short haired girl with a blue purse slung over her shoulder. She stood on the wet grass outside 'Tammy's' house waving like she was doing jumping jacks, only her legs were still. She fanned her arms out in a semi circle until she saw the other girl heard her call. This girl wore a yellow blouse and a white beaded necklace. She had on a creamy yellow skirt with white circle outlines scattered on it, to compliment the necklace. Her blonde locks flowed freely, pushed around by the breeze, making all her combing efforts that morning look useless.

"Jessica?" Tammy whispered in a confused tone. Then her eyes widened and she grinned. "Oh yeah! I said we would visit Professor Dahlia together." Tammy let the window up and shouted back. "I'll be right down!" Then she slammed the window back into place, readjusted the curtain, and dashed for the door. She quickly traveled down the hall, waving to her mother who was heading down to the kitchen for coffee.

Tammy pushed open the door and began splashing water on her face. She washed her face and brushed her teeth, and finished off the pesky germs in her mouth with mouthwash. Then she hurriedly pulled two clumps of her hair apart, making near-exact halves, combed them straight, and managed to curve the edges of her two halves of hair neatly upward over her shoulders.

When she was as presentable as she wanted to look, Tammy rushed out of the white-tiled bathroom and straight back to her own. She picked out an outfit even quicker than she ran, throwing it on like she had one minute to get dressed. The way she did things, everything was quick except the way she talked, at least most of the time. Tammy now wore a blue top with a picture of a Wooper in a lake on it. Above the Wooper was the phrase, "Splish Splash!"

Ignoring the tasteless shirt, Tammy put on some baby blue sandals, packed a black sack full of essential items and some personal things, and ran down the hall. She was halfway down the hall, when her body surprised her. One of her feet stopped in front of the other, and she stopped with it, her momentum carrying her forward ten centimeters before slamming onto the floor. The green carpet caught her, and had to let her go even sooner. She barely even noticed she had fallen because she was so focused on leaving. Tammy ignored her throbbing knee, and was up and running again. She went two steps at a time down the staircase, and finally slowed down as she neared the dining room. At least, she was as slow as she had ever been that morning. Tammy was starting a slow jog toward the table.

"Hello there young lady," said her mother mockingly. "Could you slow down Ms. Speedy?"

Tammy groaned. "Okay mom," she replied calmly. "But I have to jet. I need to get to Professor Dahlia's lab, quick! Jessica's outside."

"You're lucky you get to go on a journey," said her seven year old brother, Rick, who would have his birthday soon. His messy brown hair was cut short, and he wore a plain black shirt and faded jeans. "I have to wait an entire two years. Then I'll find and beat you!"

Tammy scoffed. "Right." She chuckled. "You're always so focused on beating me. We both know it won't happen." Her brother gave her an enraged look. "Just kidding! You may have a chance."

He grinned, pleased with her revised statement. She hugged him and broke away, quickly turning to her mother. "Listen mom, I need to go."

"I know honey. Take this paper plate and scram," she teased, holding a plate with toast, bacon, and eggs on it. A plastic fork was laid out on the plate.

Tammy shrugged, snatching away the toast. "Toast is good."

"Are you sure?"

Tammy smiled. "Yeah. Thanks mom. I'll see dad on my way out." She embraced her mother after she gave the plate to her brother, who, being a greedy little pig, devoured it.

"Good luck," said her mother, eyes wet with joy. "I knew this day would come. Catch a lot of Pokemon for me."

"I promise," said Tammy, fighting back tears, and gave her brother and mother a big smile and more hugs, before turning and rushing out the door. It was hard leaving, but she had to. Hers was a curious soul, which went where adventure took her, and right now it took her across the yard with a small chunk of buttered toast to her best friend.

"Hey Jess," Tammy greeted her friend, who replied with "how's it goin' Tamm," and they high fived. Smiling at each other, they began walking around the house, where Tammy's father was feeding his Stantler some Pokechow. Tammy quickly finished her toast as they rounded the corner.

"There's your dad," said Jessica, and the two girls approached the man.


"Hey pops," Tammy called, and her father rushed over, with his Pokemon following. Stantler was stomping excitedly, the battle scar on its side hardly noticeable as it moved its hoofs. She rubbed the scar with a quick stroke of unspoken sympathy. She knew this had been caused by a group of Persian, and her father had rescued this Pokemon from the attacking cats, which is how the two befriended each other.


"Hi," Tammy said, petting Stantler. "I'll miss you." The Pokemon gave a happy snort of recognition.

"You're going already?" Her father began searching his pockets. "Ah, here," he said, yanking out a blue beaded necklace.

"What's that?" Tammy asked, puzzled.

"A lucky necklace," her father replied, placing it around her neck with a grin. "Wear it with pride." Tammy hugged her dad, and rubbed Stantler affectionately once more.

"Thanks dad...I promise I will," Tammy said, letting a pause break up the talking for no apparent reason, and finally speaking. "I have to go now, but I wish it weren't so soon."

"Me too," her father said. "But you have this whole region to explore. Start as soon as possible. Good luck out there." There was a moment of silence. Tammy managed an "mmh hmm," and a nod after several seconds of stillness. Jessica stood by feeling awkward.

Breaking eye contact due to sadness, Tammy started off down the street to leave. Her best friend, Jessica Garat, was right after her.

"Bye," called Tammy's father, also saddened.

"Hey!" Jessica looked worried. "You can't just bail like that. He cares about you."

"Watch me," Tammy snapped, and hopped onto the sidewalk wedged in between a hill and the street. She bolted, racing down the path and over the hill. Jessica gave an 'I'm sorry Mr. Petal,' look to,well, Mr. Petal, and continued on to follow Tammy.

"She'll be back," whispered her father, rubbing Stantler's back. "She just needs some time. Let's go Stant." Reluctantly, Stantler turned and trotted behind Cameron Petal, back to the house. The house Tammy would not return to for a while.

The air was wet with moisture as Tammy and Jessica traveled over the thick green grass, eventually turning onto the path that tore through the plains. There was a minty smell to this grassy area, making it a popular picnic spot. There were families here and there, along with plain couples, and some waved at the girls passed through. After a bit more walking, the grass lowered and began to look less healthy, and soon vanished, giving way to a damp and rocky ground area that the dirt path sliced through like a butter knife. Jessica clamped a hand onto Tammy's arm forcefully, and yanked her back. They needed to talk.

"WHAT?" Tammy yelled. She had no time for this. She wanted to pick a Pokemon and hightail it out of Crystal City. It was hard fighting the feeling of homesickness, though she was a mere fifty yards from home right now. She never expected going away to be so hard for her. Tammy was a strong girl, but felt weak at the moment. She wanted to cry. It showed.

"Your eyes are red and puffy." Jessica stared blankly at her friend. "Don't be a jerk. Your dad felt just as bad as you did. Go back and talk if it will make you feel better."

"No," she replied flatly. "Stop bothering me. Come on."

Once again they set out on the short trail to the loud and busy Crystal City. Soon they had passed the open black gates and were in. The streets were almost empty, but the few people lined up at the shops surrounding the entrance to the city were attention-grabbers. There was so much noise, it seemed as if the cobblestone streets were jam packed. Glass buildings with strange crystaline wall shapes up to the tilted spires at the top, towered over them as far as both girls could see in almost every direction (Thus the name Crystal City), except for the area in front of them. A separate path branched off from the city, leading to the Professor's lab.

Many dirty-faced kids were hopping about who had obviously gotten into trouble, (The fat and pale-faced man with puffy lips doubled over and ceased chasing them after running, if you could call it that, only twenty yards and weaving in and out of alleys. He raised his fist in a warning gesture before turning and walking back into the jumble of buildings.) their small Pokemon following. A Jumpluff, Makuhita, and Bagon eagerly followed their trainers, moving throughout the plaza.

"Hahahaha," Jessica laughed, as the groups of kids and the different Pokemon they owned played together. "Isn't that sweet Tammy, how they're having fun together?"

"Yeah," Tammy said sarcastically. "Real cute."

Jessica frowned. Tammy ignored it, urging her onward to search for the lab. It was hard to miss. A large structure made entirely from marble was on top of a plateau. Or rather, a certain hill was so steep it seemed like one. It rose fifteen feet high, and there was a moving board of wood attached to a rope that the two fascinated girls hopped onto.

"I guess we pull the rope to raise and lower the platform," Tammy suggested. Before Jessica could even prepare a response, the unexpected happened. They floated. The board below them rose up high. Looking down, the two girls noticed a pair of Natu were using Psychic to raise the shaky platform. It stood still once the two birds controlled it though, and soon both new trainers were walking off the board to enter the lab. The door was covered by a veil. A blue light, obviously a blocking device, was in effect.

"Let it down Garde," called a rough voice, though it was easily recognized as a female voice. "They're trainers."

"Uhh...what?" Tammy said to herself, confused. The blue light faded, and the two entered...a dark room. Suddenly the lights flickered on, and a Gardevoir was floating in front of them.

"AHH!" Jessica shouted in fright, then, once she had calmed down, she pouted. "Please don't scare me like that." The Gardevoir nodded, floating away near a corner as they continued to walk, eventually standing beside each other idly, waiting to see the figure of the person who let them in.

No sooner had they done this, than a lady in a cream-colored light green lab coat appeared in front of a doorway, opposite their side of the room. She wore long white pants and high heeled shoes. Not at all what you'd expect a renowned Professor to look like. Her hair was a deep purple, and combed back, except for the edges near her ears, where her hair was curled. The look was different, but somehow likeable.

"Sorry Miss," she apologized with a smirk.

"Professor Dahlia I presume?" Jessica wondered. A nod told her she had guessed right. She grinned.

"In the flesh. Sorry about the shield."

"What was that all about?" Tammy asked.

"Oh, yes, I haven't explained, have I? That was simply the enforcing my safety precautions. This group of theiving Pokemon has taken quite an assortment of useful devices from my lab. I'm not going to allow it anymore. I have put up that barrier to block intruders."

"Oh," the two girls said, surprised.

"Do you know why they're stealing?" Tammy asked.

"Not really."

"I'd say we'll help find them, but we can't. We're just novice trainers," Jessica said. "Well no...we do have extensive knowledge of Pokemon, but we both are just starting out from Amber Town."

"Amber Town eh? I see. It's all right. I think we've got it covered. Isn't that right Gardevoi-"

Suddenly a Sandslash and Machop ran into the lab. Hurrying to catch up was a Wigglytuff. They all looked ready to fight, unlike the usual calm personas of their separate species.

"There's three of'em," the Professor shouted, wondering where the other Pokemon were that usually accompanied the trio. "Garde, uh, y'know, guard us!" Gardevoir nodded, and floated over in front of the three, a glowing film of energy forming as protection between them.


"Now," Professor Dahlia ordered, revealing one Pokeball, then a second. "GO Vileplume! Help out, Beldum."

The two Pokemon were deposited behind Gardevoir by means of two red beams of light. They each looked tough, and seemed to slightly intimidate the three opponents. Soon after, the fear of the Professor's Pokemon seemed to vanish from all three faces.

"Ma-chop," the fighting type shouted, and Wigglytuff stepped forward. It lunged forward at the barrier, surprising Gardevoir. The pink powerhouse slammed a fist into the shield, which cracked almost before contact was made.

"Ah!" Tammy yelped. "How did it do that?"

"That looked like Brick Break," Jessica announced. "It might've used that to fracture Light Screen."

"That won't stop me girls," Professor Dahlia said confidently. "Vileplume, use rapid spin and tackle!"

The purple Pokemon with a large flower atop its head nodded. Gardevoir switched places with it, and the Pokemon began to twirl. As it picked up speed, it charged at the thieves. All three Pokemon gasped, as they were knocked back by the centripetal force behind the tackle. With no further instruction, Vileplume bumped against Sandslash and Wigglytuff a second time, sending them tumbling backwards out of the laboratory and sailing through the air as they fell off of the plateau.

"Awesome," Jessica commented. "It did away with them so fast and elegantly! I want a Vileplume someday."

"You just might catch one if you put your mind to it," the Professor encouraged.

As she finished her sentence the Machop noticed it was left vulnerable. It stood up, still recovering from the powerful move it had just been hit with. "CHOP," it yelled in fright, but got into a stance nonetheless. This Pokemon's kind were taught never to run, to fight to the end...and the end was near.

Machop lurched at Vileplume and ducked under the flower that rested on Vileplume's head. Their faces were a breath away from each other now. Swiftly, Machop stepped back, still crouching, and launched a sky uppercut attack. It sent Vileplume up in the air in one quick motion, and jumped up after it. Vileplume suddenly opened it's previously closed eyes (closed due to the pain of sky uppercut), and flipped back as Machop came at it with a double kick. One kick brushed against the big red flower on Vileplume's head, doing no damage, but Machop turned its body accordingly, causing the second kick to knock Vileplume out of the air and it landed hard on the white tiled floor.

"Beldum, go," Professor Dahlia called out.

"Bel," Beldum croaked, rushing forward over Vileplume and straight for Machop as it landed. Machop was unprepared, and felt a sharp pain in its stomach as it was hit directly.

"Now, Vileplume get in the game! Use the flower on your head to cushion Beldum's fall!"

Beldum's one eye shut, as it floated backwards, about to hit the floor. Suddenly, Vileplume was there. The pillowy surface of its flower sent Beldum upward. It quickly righted itself in mid-air, thankful for the help.

"Cool," Tammy said.

"Yeah!" Jessica agreed. "Vileplume prevented the recoil damage to save Beldum!"

Smiling at the praise her Pokemon were getting, the Professor spoke. "Finish it Vileplume. Return attack!"

Vileplume grinned as it was surrounded by a purple aura. It teleported from where it was presently, and was right in front of Machop in a flash. The aura left Vileplume, and, taking the shape of a heart, it slammed into Machop, who was too stunned to move, and took the full effect of the attack. It joined its theiving partners outside the lab seconds later, flat on its back after the long fall. All three humiliated criminals disappeared into the city.

"Good job," Jessica squealed.

"Thanks kid."

"That was okay I guess," Tammy admitted. "Pretty good strategy. You use your Pokemon intelligently in battle."

"If you say so," the Professor said, faking modesty. "...Aw heck! I rock!" Silence. Then she spoke. "So, ya ready to pick your Pokemon or what? Actually, it will pick you." As she said this, she called all three of her Pokemon back into their balls.

"How so?" Jessica asked curiously.

"Show us," Tammy urged, impatient.

"Gosh, cool it! Follow me," the Professor said, leading the two down a corridor and into a dome-shaped room. The whole top of the dome was pure glass.

"In case you're wondering, this I added on recently," the Professor said with a grin. "That's why it's only 10% marble, unlike everywhere else. You see, it was hard handing out starters in one room, where I also do my research."

Both girls hardly listened though, as they drank in the beautiful setting. There were healthy plants of all sorts scattered around the large room. Spider plants, Roses, Aloe, and much more, each in varying habitats sectioned off by glass and in some cases diamond walls (For stronger Pokemon that may escape)! and vines hung from the ceiling. In the center of the room was a pristine fountain, with water lilies floating in the top of one ofthree rings holding water, that went up one level each and got smaller as they did. It was wide all around, and had a Phanpy statue in the center of the top, smallest ring. The snout of the Phanpy poured out water, giving a calming air to the room. Several Pidgey roamed here, gathering on the rim of the fountain to take birdbaths. Only Pidgey were allowed to always roam freely about the dome, since they could do little harm.

"Nice isn't it?" asked the Professor, once she noticed she was talking to no one. "Come this way." They proceeded past the fountain and approached a machine that was built into the wall. There was a scanning device protruding from it, which looked like a miniature satellite dish. This device also had a slot below it, similar to a slot you see at a library to return books through. Only this was much bigger, and a robotic four-fingered hand was sticking out of it.

"Kayko Dahlia," the Professor said into a speaker on the wall after pressing a red button. A loud but short beep signaled she could identify herself. There was a pause, and then a low chime that seemed louder than it was because the dome repelled sound waves, causing them to bounce around the room.

"Welcome Ms. Kayko," a robotic voice greeted, and the scanning dish spun slowly in a circle before clicking back into place. "Metal scanner engaged. Please display hand."

"That's your cue," said the Professor. It was time to get their Pokemon, both females realized. Jessica decided to go first, and stepped up, holding her hand out so her palm was level with the dish. There was a long screeching noise as it processed her DNA.

"Oh, my forehead itches," Jessica complained.

"That's because it's searching your brain to give you one of my three Pokemon you'll work best with." Professor Dahlia chuckled. "You get used to it."

"Awesome," Jessica said with excitement. Soon, the sound stopped, and the robotic hand below shrank down into the depths of the large slot in the wall. There was a metallic clang, and after a few more seconds the hand was back, but held a certain Pokeball. There was a blue circle painted onto the center of the red area of it. Following that was a strange-shaped device. It looked deformed like a Ditto's gelatinous body, and was a metallic silver color.

"Uh..."

"That'd be a TechPal. It's basically a modernized PokeNav combined with a Pokedex, and has many new features." The Professor knew the question was coming so she answered early. "My colleague Professor Thorn created them."

"Cool. Do these things come in yellow? I mean this totally clashes with my wardrobe," Jessica complained, and soon the robotic hand gave her a second TechPal, and it was yellow. "Thanks," she said gratefully.

"I call silver!" Tammy caught the unwanted TechPal, and put it away swiftly.

"That must be a Krabby," Professor Dahlia predicted. "It has the mark of 'small water Pokemon'."

"Let's see," Jessica said with curiosity, tossing the Pokeball at the fountain, since she knew the Pokemon was a water-dwelling creature.

"Shellder," said a voice. Jessica immediately squealed to release her joy. (Does Shellder say its name? I can't remember, please help out)

"Cool, a Shellder!"

Tammy's eyes widened. "You don't give out the normal starters here?" she asked, turning to the Professor.

"Nope, not here...at least not regularly."

Jessica was in her own world soon, not hearing the conversation. She stepped forward, smiling with that rosy red-cheeked smile she was known for. "Hi buddy!" she whispered excitedly to Shellder, who had retreated inside its shell in fright. "I won't hurt you. I really want to be your best friend Shellder, and I will if you let me."

Slowly, shakily, the shell opened just a crack. Jessica beamed even more enthusiastically, waiting. "You can do it," she encouraged a bit louder than a whisper. Shellder's shell shut tight for a second or two in surprise, then it snapped back open, now fully opened, so the whites of Shellder's eyes were clearly visible.

"See? I won't hurt you pal," Jessica coaxed.

Tammy watched with a blank expression on her face, wondering what would happen next.

"Shellder!" the creature cried angrily, closing up its shell completely. It must have been in a bad mood, Jessica figured. After all, she was too optimistic to realize it was scared of her.

"...Oh well," Jessica finally said with a dissappointed sigh. She backed away, calling Shellder back into its Pokeball.

"Don't worry," said the Professor, "...it'll get used to you."

"I hope so."

Tammy hung her head to show her sadness. Even she had a flicker of hope that maybe a Pokemon as shy as Shellder wouldn't be freaked out by her best friend's overly-happy attitude. Too bad.

Tammy hurriedly stepped over and showed her hand to the scanning dish once Jessica had brightened up from her bad mood, which didn't take too long. She was soon jolly again and waiting to see which Pokemon her friend would begin her journey with. The familiar yet horrible screech began again, as Tammy went through the whole search procedure in a mere thirty seconds. Soon, a red and white orb had deposited itself into her hand. She stared at the fire symbol that had been burned into the Pokeball in fascination and wonder.

"You just might have a powerful starter there," the Professor predicted.

"How about we find out?" Tammy suggested, throwing the Pokeball onto the floor, where it bounced once, and opened to release the Pokemon inside.

Tammy knew what was coming next. She reached out and caught the ball as it automatically returned to her. Waiting anxiously, she stared as the red light from her Pokeball began to solidify into a solid shape.

In a matter of seconds she was stunned. In front of her was the majestic fox, Vulpix. The red locks of fur on the fox sparkled beautifully. It was obviously well groomed by the Professor. The six amber tails extending from the fox gave it a pure, calming look.

"It's...amazing," Jessica said in awe.

"No one has ever gotten a fire Pokemon as good as a Vulpix here before, except for one boy...Evan Dash." The Professor said the name with an air of fear. "Evan had a temper too...well uh, anyways! About Vulpix. A Vulpix is known to be a loyal Pokemon for brave, free-spirited trainers. You are one lucky girl."

Tammy beamed. "Really?" She slowly turned back to look at Vulpix, calmly approaching it after a split second of hesitation. It might have been a tense moment, but she wasn't like that; a coward afraid to face life. So she walked over to Vulpix like it were a simple, harmless Caterpie. Sitting cross-legged beside her new Pokemon, she stroked its smooth fur.

"Pix," it cried out in pleasure.

"So," Tammy asked while running her hand along the length of Vulpix's back, "What was that about this 'Evan Dash' guy?"

"Oh, he was bad!"

"Bad how?" Jessica inquired.

"His temper was off the scale if you angered him, and his hair seemed like it held way too much static and, and...his eyes, inside his eyes you saw pure hate." The Professor seemed like it scared her to talk about him as she described the boy. "His eyes were filled with this, this, mist. Yeah, that's right! A red mist in the form of pupils dotted the whites of his eyes. It was so eerie so...I was happy when he left with a Growlithe. I just wanted the creepy kid gone."

"Whoa," Tammy said. "He's that intimidating?"

"Yes."

"Great, I want to fight him then!"

"Yeah, you should- wait a minute, WHAT?"

"I said I want to battle him."

"Don't even think about it." She stared at both girls, switching her warning glance from one to the other. "I don't want either of you girls getting hurt. So DO NOT go find him in Fluorescent Village, please!" The Professor clamped a hand over her mouth. She felt very stupid at this moment. "Oh darn..." A muffled voice said, obviously her own.

"So, he's in Fluorescent Village eh?" Tammy said with a triumphant smirk. "Thanks...let's go Jessica."

"You-r-really wanna find this boy?" Jessica wondered.

"Of course."

"Really?...Think about what you're doing. This trainer sounds so scary!"

However, Tammy's ears were already closed and her feet moving, but her Vulpix stopped her with a nudge to the leg.

"Hey there," she said calmly to it. "Are you up for it Vulpix?"

"Vulll," it said with a shake of its head.

"Vulpix has seen him," the Professor said, now recovered. "She knows the danger you'll be putting yourself into by finding him. Evan's Growlithe," she sighed, "was her best friend...and they played together all the time."

The sad doe-eyed look Vulpix gave its new trainer caused her to pay more attention. Biting her lip, she thought for a bit. Then she came up with something. "So, what if we trained?" Her young fox shot her a dissaproving look.

"You might be able to defend yourself, but still, even with some training he could beat this Vulpix easy. I know his power level. He's competed in a contest recently with his Growlithe, and boy is it stronger than it used to be while I was with it! The poor thing looks evil though."

Tammy gasped. That caught her attention. "Evil? Was it always like that?"

"Oh, no, of course not! Although it may have been a little mischievous at times, this Growlithe was never purposely performing genuinely evil acts."

Tammy nodded slowly, picturing the once innocent Growlithe in her head.

The Professor said this with such a precise and confident tone that both girls had no choice but to trust that the statement was true. "Once that Growlithe met Evan, though, it's eyes flashed a dim red, an early indication that the red mist within the boy had gotten to it. From then on, it stuck beside Evan. I haven't seen either of them since."

"How long ago was this?" Tammy asked, now very curious.

"It was two months ago."

"You make it seem like it was years ago."

"Heheh," the Professor laughed, though it was more of a 'I have no idea what to say to that' chuckle.

"So," Tammy said calmly but quickly as usual, obvious ready to go. "How many Pokemon does he have at the moment?"

"Three right now."

"Thanks Professor, I guess we'll be going after you register us."

Sighing, she dialed a few buttons into a computer keyboard in the room, and was done. "There, your TechPals have just been sent all your information from Amber Town." Her eyes suddenly widened. "Oh!" The Professor said with realization. "You sneaky brats tricked me!" She laughed, more from embarrassment than joy.

"Uhh, hey! Scratch that 's' please," Jessica said nervously in her own defense. "I'm not so up for this."

The Professor stared at her without a word, seeming to know there was more. Vulpix sat close to Tammy, both ears pricked upward, protruding from its head and brushing against the tuft of fur on its head as they twitched.

"...but where my 'bff' goes, I go!" With that, both girls rushed off. Vulpix glanced back sadly at the Professor.

"Go."

Vulpix whined, and its mouth curved downward.

"I know, but...there's nothing we can do. I beleive in you Vulpix. Guide them."

"Vulpixxx," it sighed softly, a glimmer of understanding mixed with bewilderment. The poor Pokemon was torn between staying with the Professor instead of seeing Evan, and going with its new trainer like it was expected to do.

"Get out of here," the Professor yelled. "I know it's hard, but it's your duty. Keep both of them safe for me." With a silent kissing motion of two fingers (press against lips, fan out toward person you are making the gesture to, for you visual readers), the Professor turned away.

Vulpix pawed at the floor for a few seconds before reluctantly turning on its haunches and darting down the hall after the two girls. It scampered down the corridor with its limbs extended and flopping around, as it always had, totally contrary from how you'd think such a stately Pokemon would travel. Its overall appearance was so grand and jolly, even as it walked in that goofy way.

Outside the lab, both girls peered down the corridor and called, "Vulpix?"

"Vul?" asked the creature, prancing strangely over to them after exiting the lab. Its fiery red fur sparkled in the sunlight, as its paws became wet with dew.

"Hey, there you are!" Tammy smiled, kneeling down to pick up Vulpix. Both girls stepped onto the platform. As they were lowered to ground level, Tammy asked her first Pokemon a question. "Would you battle with me? It'll be our first one together, but only if you want to." A flicker of light in Tammy's eyes showed the hardened innocent soul within. She truly cared about Vulpix. If that didn't win its trust, nothing ever would. Vulpix decided.

"So what'll it be?" Tammy asked sweetly. "It all depends on if you're ready."

"Vulpix!" cried the fox with a nod. It now looked bolder and more magnificent than ever before. Just as it agreed, the platform stopped. They were going back into Crystal City.

Tammy grinned. She seemed to be pleased, although all that mattered was Vulpix.

"Great," Jessica announced, and Tammy stopped her in mid sentence with a final comment.

"I'll take that as a yes...Ruby."