Chapter 16 - Finding Jolt

"We're here!" I threw my hands up in the air happily, smelling the flowery scented air. It smelled so good.

"Finally," Adriana smiled from behind me. She was just as relieved & tired as I was.

We made it to Celadon City in just four days.

Four long, dreadful, tiring days.

First of all, I was attacked by a group of wild Rattata, because of Brandon.

He was trying to battle a wild Raticate, & little did we know this Ratticate had several small Rattata children.

These Rattata's attacked me. How is it possible, you ask, that four Rattata's attacked me & me only? I wish I knew. Adriana & Brandon were left unharmed.

I had horrible cuts all over my legs, especially my left leg. That really slowed us down. It was hard for me to walk.

We came across some trainers every once in a while, & battled. Of course that took up some time. & despite this, we took some time off to train. Cinder even learned a new move, Fire Spin. It was a bit bad at first, but she quickly got the hang of it & was using it against our opponents.

Despite this training & wild Pokemon battling, Brandon didn't catch any Pokemon at all. I was beginning to wonder if he even wanted to, because he had several opportunities to catch some, yet he made an excuse every time.

"Too weak."

"Weak against electric-types."

"Takes too long to train/evolve."

These were just some of the many reasons he gave me everytime we knocked out a wild Pokemon.

Brandon also got to really train his newest team member, his Poliwag. That thing looked so small & cute & innocent, but with all the battles Brandon put it through it was starting to grow tough. It had recently learned Body Slam during a battle with a trainer's Raticate, & knocked it out just like that.

Adriana trained too, but she let us take on most of the trainers we came across. Unless our Pokemon were weak, or we weren't in the mood, we would battle & she wouldn't mind. She let us because she knew we needed the experience much more than she did.

As soon as we arrived in Celadon, Adriana wanted to go to her sister's house. She invited us to come along, & even said that it would be okay for us to stay with them for a couple days. We gladly accepted the offer.

Celadon was a big city. Not only that, but it was so beautiful & full of flowers. Everywhere. It smelled good too, I could breathe in & inhale roses with every step I took, & I loved it.

The walk to Adriana's sister's house was pretty long. I was relieved & tired when we finally got there. Adriana proudly walked up to the front door & knocked a bit loud.

Moments later, a women looking almost identical to her, answered the door. "Adriana!" her face lit up as soon as she saw her sister. "Ariana!" Adriana yelled back & hugged her.

Brandon & I stood there awkwardly as the two women embraced each other in what I would call a very long hug. When they parted, the other girl, Ariana, looked at us & frowned a bit. "May I help you?"

"Oh, Ariana, this is Katrina & Brandon. I met them just recently. I was hoping they could stay here for a few days while they're in Celadon?" Adriana asked hopefully.

Adriana's almost twin looking sister looked us over & bit her lip. "They're cool, trust me," Adriana nodded approvingly.

After Adriana assured her we wouldn't rob her house & stab her in the leg the women smiled & said,"Sorry. Come on in." As soon as we walked in I smelled cupcakes. My eyes went wide & I looked to Brandon. He licked his lips; he smelled it too.

"I hope you're hungry," Adriana's sister chuckled light heartedly. "I made cupcakes. & I also made steak. I like to cook." She smiled warmly at us.

Dinner was nice. I eat like a queen, steak with rice, carrots, & even french fries. I hadn't aten like that the whole time I had been on my journey. "This food is delicious, Ariana. Thank you." I dabbed my mouth with a napkin as I finished my meal, I was stuffed

"It's no problem, I'm glad you liked it."

The two sisters exchanged conversation, occasionally bringing us into the conversation. After dinner, they brought up Adriana's Vaporeon. "How is she doing?"

"She might lay her eggs anytime now," Adriana replied, sounding a little worried. "Don't worry! She'll be fine! Let her out! I'll go get Jolteon so the two can see each other. I'm sure she'll lay her eggs within the next week," Adriana's sister assured her before leaving the room.

Adriana gently tossed Vaporeon's Pokeball & out she came, looking very tired. She could barely stand up. We immediatley fixed her up a comfortable nest-like thing, made out of soft & warm blankets.

"Vaporeon!" Vaporeon seemed to be thanking us as she lay in her bed. She looked grateful & very comfortable. Ariana came back into the room with a Jolteon.

The Jolteon, turned to see that there was company, & it was not very impressed. I thought it would shock us.

My heart fell into my stomach as I saw the Jolteon had its eyes fixed on me. Something made me frightened, but something else made me feel as if I had met this Jolteon before.

Still with his eyes firmly locked on me, he slowly walked closer & closer. "Umm..." escaped my lips as my eyes darted around the room. Everyone else look confused too. "Katrina..." Adriana's mouth was hanging open. Ariana was frowning, & Brandon was staring at us with a look of confusion on his face.

"Guys...?" I mumbled as Jolteon stood only a few inches from me now. "Jolt!" The sudden cry of the Pokemon caused me to jump back a little. Jolteon came closer & closer, until it was right at my feet. "Jolteon!" It squeeled loudly & I could swear it was going to attack me. I closed my eyes & waited for it to attack me with a powerful Thunder or something of that sort.

Instead I felt fur against the palm of my hand. I was confused. The Jolteon smiled & cuddled its entire body against me. Then it cackled a bit of electricity, before jumping from side to side, as if begging for me to chase it. No... This couldn't be...

"Jolt?" I could barely mutter the words from my mouth. "Jolteon!" he nodded & threw himself against me, knocking me down on the floor. He began to lick me affectionately. I couldn't believe it! This was Jolt! My brother's Jolteon! How in the world did he get here?!

I looked up & everyone was looking at me, wide eyed? "Ariana..." I got up slowly. "Where did you get this Jolteon?" I asked. There was no doubt that this Jolteon had once been my brother's. The way that he had little sparks of electricity coming off his body, & how he jumped from side to side, wishing to be chased & played with. Jolt did that all the time.

"I... My boyfriend... Left him..." she said, looking sad. She looked like she wanted to cry. "Randall?" As soon as I said the name, her eyes looked like they were going to buldge out of her head! Even Jolteon looked sad at the mention of his old trainer's name.

"Who are-" "I'm... I'm Randall's sister..." I said, feeling my knees getting weak. "You.. You..." She couldn't even speak. She shut her mouth & her eyes began to get wattery. "I..." She burst into tears before she could say anything. Adriana held her sister comfortingly.

"You're Randall's sister?" Adriana asked, eyes wide. I nodded. "Listen... I'm sorry about your brother, Katrina. I... It was horrible. He was a great trainer. I battled him once & he tore me to pieces. We miss him a lot..." she sighed & frowned.

I just nodded, feeling sad. Jolteon looked sad, too. Brandon came up next to me & held my hand. I felt a strange tingle at his touch, but it was very comforting. I looked up & smiled at him.

After Ariana stopped crying, we had a few glasses of wine. Nope, I was not of legal drinking age, but I drank anyway. & so did Brandon. Adriana was telling me about how Randall had once battled her & beat her with ease.

"Of course I wasn't very good back then. But still, he was one of the best I'd ever seen. & he wasn't cocky or rude, he was so friendly & happy all the time. Man, that Jolteon of his right there, is really something." Jolteon lifted his chin up proudly, glad he was being recognized for the strong Pokemon he was.

"But unfortunately... Since Randall's been gone... Jolteon doesn't listen to me when I try to battle at his side... He doesn't listen to anyone, really..." Ariana jumped into the conversation & frowned.

"Oh..." I frowned also. "I wonder why..." I looked at Jolteon, who was snuggling against Vaporeon now. "He doesn't seem happy. Since then, he's sad often," she further explained,"I've tried everything. Putting him into battles, or just having him as a house pet, but he never listens or is happy..."

"Jolt hates being a house pet," I spoke up, chuckling. "Jolt?" Ariana questioned. "Yeah, his name is Jolt. Right buddy?" "Jolteon!" Jolt jumped up happily. "Jolt hates being cooped up in places like these, he likes to be out in the open, running around. He's got so much energy, & he likes playing tag,  don't 'cha Jolt?" I grinned.

Jolt did his usual routine of sending small sparks off his body, & jumping around. He did this whenever he wanted to play his favorite game, tag. I got up. "Do you mind if I step to your backyard?" I asked Ariana. She shook her head.

"Come on Jolt!" I cried & he happily ran at my heels. I began to chase him around & he ran unbelievably quick. I pretended to fall & be injured. When he came to check on me, I tagged him & ran, but I didn't get far because he pounced on me, knocking me to the ground but I didn't care.

I missed Jolt. He was my brother's best friend. He was the only living memory I had of my big brother. My brother loved this Jolteon more than anything, & I felt... So... Desperate to be there for Jolteon. We understood each other's pain. We both lost our best friend.

When I looked up, I saw everyone staring at me. Ariana was especially saddened. "Katrina... You're brother told me about you... I saw him, before he died. Spoke to him on the phone... He... He said he wanted me to care for Jolt. He said he left a Vulpix for you as your starter Pokemon... He said that if I should ever cross paths with you while you were on your journey... To give him to you... Because you would love & care for Jolteon as he did... & as far as I can see... He's right," a small smile flashed upon Ariana's face.

"What?" I managed to choke out. "He was gonna give you Jolt to begin your journey with. But he knew you couldn't handle such power yet. He said when you became stronger, as you traveled, that you would gain experience with Pokemon... & he wanted me to give you Jolt when I found you & was sure that you can handle it," she finished. I was astonished by her words. I didn't know what to say... She walked up to me slowly, & placed a Pokeball in my hand.

I looked down to see a big lightening bolt sloppily drawn on in sharpie. I knew that this was Jolt's Pokeball. "He's yours... Take care of him," she whispered, before going back inside.