Chapter 2 - Two People , Similar Struggles

I held the Pokeball at my palm for who knows how long, rubbing my fingers against it, feeling every inch of it, at my fingertips. It was hard to believe that there was a Pokemon in there, much less, my Pokemon, who would be helping me win countless tournaments.

As much I loved the idea of being an actual Pokemon trainer, it wasn't the same under the circumstances I was in. I wanted Randall to be there to witness my first official Pokemon battle, & my first tournament win, but sadly... It would never happen...

I sighed, & decided that I had wasted too much time enveloped in my thoughts. Before I could change my mind, I gently tossed the Pokeball in the air & a bright white light shined in front of me. As the light faded, I saw my future partner.

The Pokemon shook itself like a dog the instant it was let out. Then it stretched. Poor thing, I thought. It hadn't came out of its Pokeball in days. I instantly felt bad & frowned.

The tiny little fox-like Pokemon looked at her surroundings. An 'awww' escaped my lips as I looked at the cute Vulpix in front of me. "Hi," I said in a soft, friendly voice. "I'm Katrina. I'm going to be your partner," I smiled at Vulpix. She cocked her head at me, then stood up on all fours. She walked close, examining me. She sniffed me, licked me, & observed me for the next few minutes. She jumped on the bed & then leaned her head against me.

I took that as a good sign. I took this time to place my hand carefully on her head & pet her. To my suprise, she let me. "Vulpix... Hmm... I should probably give you a nickname. For uniqueness..." I picked her up & she stared at me with those big amber colored eyes.

"Well... You're gonna evolve into a big bad Ninetales one day I hope... So I can't name you Vulpis, which is what I had in mind..." I frowned as she began sniffing around the room. "I can name you Tails?" I questioned, but my Vulpix was not paying much attention. I guess she didn't like the name much.

"You're right... That sounds like a boy's name... Hmmm..." I rubbed my chin as Vulpix sat in front of me, waiting. Those amber colored eyes made me melt. She was irresistable.

"I got it!" I snapped my fingers suddenly, startling my Pokemon. "Amber! Get it? Because of your eyes?" I asked. "Vulpix!" she cheered happily. That was it. Amber was her name. Amber & I eventually got bored of being cooped up in a room, & she was getting restless, so we decided to take a walk around the boat.

As we walked I saw countless trainers with Pokemon by their side, & I was proud to say I recognized every single one of them. My brother taught me well. Amber & I passed by a battle arena where bored trainers would battle. I didn't feel much like battling yet, however, so I continued to walk.

When we passed by the Pokemon playground, my Vulpix got restless. "What is it girl?" She had suddenly stopped walking & was sitting. "Vul..." she whined a bit, & turned her head to the playground. She wanted to play. I looked at the playground, then back at her. "Fine, but only for a little while," I gave in when she used her puppy dog eyes. As soon as she had my permission she ran off. "Stay at the playground Amber! Don't wander off!" I yelled after her. She was just like a child.

I smiled to myself & took a trip up to the deck, which was suprisingly empty. Not a single soul was up there.

Ah, peace & quiet.

I sat at the edge of the deck, & breathed in the salty water. I loved the ocean. I looked out to the sea & the water looked so beautiful & sparkly. As I stared & enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere, I saw a Pokemon out in the water. Being the nerd that I am, as I squinted I realized it was a... Kingdra? Wierd, Kingdra's were rare, said to be native to the Johto region, & only evolved when exposed to a Dragon Scale, which was a pretty rare item, if I do say so myself... Usually Kingdra's were evolved by trainers... Did a trainer let it loose? As I struggled to further see the Pokemon, I was interrupted by a boy's voice.

"Enjoying the ocean?" he asked me. I looked back to see a boy with jet black hair, jeans, a grey sweater, and ear piercings. He was smiling slightly, had light brown eyes, almost amber colored, like my Vulpix, & he was very handsome.

"Umm... Yeah," I replied awkwardly. He sat next to me. "Sorry. I'm horrible with introductions. I'm Brandon," he held out his hand for me to shake. "Katrina," I smiled & shook his hand. "So... Katrina... What brings you on this voyage to Pallet Town?" I wasn't sure how to answer his question.

'Oh hey, my brother died & now I have to win tournaments to support my family!'

That didn't sound good at all.

"I'm gonna see Professor Oak," is all I said. There was silence for a few more seconds.

"Interesting... Me too... Are you getting your first Pokemon?" "No, are you?" He shook his head,"No." Not wanting to question him further, I just stood there & kept my mouth shut.

Brandon & I sat there, enjoying the view, & talking, until the sun began to go down. "I should probably go... The Pokemon playground closes in a few minutes, & I need to pick up my Pokemon," he announced, glancing at his watch. "Me too," I said for the hundreth time.

Brandon & I had a lot in common. Whenever he would state his opinion on something, I would say 'me too' & vice versa. We seemed to like & do a lot of the same things. As we stood outside of the playground, Brandon whistled. "Amber!" I called loudly so she could hear me.

Brandon & I waited for at least two minutes, & neither of our Pokemon showed up. I was beginning to worry. Brandon called out once more, & two small Pokemin emerged from behind the slide. Amber, & a Growlithe. Amber shyly walked over to me & the Growlithe stood at Brandon's heels, sitting in front of him.

"Growlithe... I see why you took so long to come now. You were distracted by a cute face," Brandon shook his head. "Well, you're not the only one..." I heard him say & he smirked at me. I blushed a deep red.

"May I walk you to your room?" I accepted Brandon's offer without hesitation. "This is my room..." I stopped. "Oh..." It was awkward. I expected Brandon to ask me if he could see me again, but he didn't. I bit my lip, sighed, & opened my door. As I was about to shut it, he spoke up.

"Katrina! Wait!" I paused & glanced at him. "Umm... Since we're both going to see Professor Oak tomorrow, how about we go together," he flashed me a nervous smile. "I would like that," I flashed him a smile back. "Great... So tomorrow... At 8, I'll come by for you?" It was settled, I would be seeing Brandon tomorrow & we'd visit Professor Oak together.

"Vulpix," Vulpix winked at me, knowing I found Brandon attractive. "Oh shut up, you were drooling all over Growlithe," I retorted, & she shyly shook her head. I got into bed, & fell asleep. Tomorrow would be a long day.

The next morning, Brandon stopped by as promised. He was looking handsome, despite how little sleep he had gotten. I found myself becoming nervous as we got off the boat & headed over to Professor Oak's lab. As we neared, I felt a pit of butterflies in my stomach.

When we reached the lab, Brandon spoke in the intercom. Professor Oak seemed to know him very well, & he instantly opened the gates to let us in. As we walked, a boy, looking about 18 or 19, stopped us. "Hey guys, Professor Oak isn't handing out starter Pokemon today," the guy waved us off. He had brown hair & brown eyes, & was wearing jeans & a long sleeve shirt. "I know," Brandon answered. "Then? What are you doing here? Scram!"

He looked us over. "Actually, the girl can stay... But you gotta go." The guy's eyes lingered & observed the few curves I had. "Fuck off!" Brandon flipped him off & walked away. "Hey! You can't be here!" the guy followed us all the way to the Professor's front door. "You better-"

"Is there a problem here?" Professor Oak looked at us. "Yeah, I told them you weren't giving out starter Pokemon today &-"

"Gary, it's fine. I was expecting them," he assured the guy, who's name was 'Gary'. Gary nodded & left us alone. "Hello... Brandon, & hmm... Katie?" he questioned, looking at me. "It's Katrina, sir," I corrected him politely. "Right! Randall's sister?" he asked with a smile. I nodded & frowned. Professor Oak immediatley frownes also.

"I'm so sorry for your loss..." His eyes were full of sympathy. Brandon stared at us, confused, but didn't speak.

"I have your things ready, just a moment." The Professor left & Brandon & I waited. He shortly returned & asked us one time,"Are you sure you're ready for this?" The Professor held our trainer cards, & a device I recognized as a Poketch. Brandon & I nodded, certain that this was what we wanted.