Sigh, another boring day through a forest...
How many forests does one guy have to go through to get to a bloody town?!
Oh well, still have Jarod to carry me around. Not that I think he minds though, he likes being outside and he's really strong so I doubt he notices me.
...then again as I look down at myself, maybe he does.
Ah well, he doesn't seem to care anyways.

WOOSH!

GAH!!
Th-the hell was that?
It...knocked me off Jarod! That thing is strong...
The hell was it though?
...great, Jarod looks pissed off. He's back up and glaring angrily.
Shit, I know that look.
"Jarod, c'mon, was probably the wind." Bullshit, but it could calm him down.
Nope, still growling.
I sigh and climb onto his back. "Got the scent?"
Jarod snuffles the air, ears flicking as he locked onto his target. He gives a subtle nod, eyes directed into the forest ahead.
"Alright go ge-" HOLY FUCK.
I grip onto his fur quick as he dashes off like the wind.
A bloody tornado wind.
I hate when he does that.



Flare needs to be more careful. That poor ponytailed fatass and his Arcanine nearly got ran over.
She's got her speed mastered...just not her control.
When we find a place to rest we can start worki- ...what the fuck.
Him again? On it's Arcnanine?
...big fast bastard isn't he? The Arcanine I mean; he's the fast one.
If he can keep up with Flare anyway.
Wonder what he wants with me.
Might as well humour him. "Flare, woah!"
Flare complies and slows down to a stop, the Arcanine doing so with her.
I hop off Flare, the ponytail dude off his Arcanine. Now that I have time to think about it, it's a strange looking one. Black and green fur, and holy fuck it's huge.
"Alright, what's up with y-" He yells, then stops, looking up at me.
"What?" I grunt.
He whimpers. I can sort of make out him saying, "Holy shit he's huge."
Granted he's about a foot or two shorter than me.
"N-nothing," he mumbles, "excuse me."
"Nice Arcanine," I look at it, its stern expression unchanging, "where'd you find it?"
"Well, someone gave him to me," he answers, still quiet and nervous.
"I see," I nod, "I'd like to see it in action."
"W-wait," he gasps, eyes widened, "y-you mean, battle?!"
"I hardly mean ballet," I mumble, "one on one, okay?"
"U-u-um, I dunno," he whimpers, but the Arcanine has already stepped in front of him, staring me down.
He wants a fight. Right now.
"J-Jarod, please," he whimpers.
...wait, huh? "How do you...?"
He looks at me. "Huh?"
"How do you know my name?"
"...what?" He blinks. "I was talking to my Arcanine."
I blink. That's creepy. "I...see. Anyway what's your name?"
"Uh, Jonno," he mumbles, glancing away. Guy really looks nervous. I look that scary?
He puts his hand on the Arcanine. "Don't, there's no point." Dude really lacks confidence too.
Jarcanine, as I'll call him, shakes his head and steps forward more.
"Seems he's made his decision," I nod, taking Mary's Pokeball and letting her out, "I'll use Mary here."
Jonno blinks. "A...Marill?"
"Yeah," I nod, frowning, "there a problem?"
"N-no, not really," He shakes his head quickly, "just...thought you'd have something...tougher, y'know?"
Ohhh, you little fool. "Alright, you ready then?"
He nods. "Okay then..."
"Right, I'll let you go first."
"O-okay," he whimpers, then points forward, "Jarod, Extremespeed!"
Jarcanine dashes forward, almost turning invisible as it knocks Mary back. Mary rolls back a bit, but lands back on her feet.
"Right, Hydro Pump!" Mary nods and ejects a huge jet of water, striking the Arcanine directly and knocking it back, hitting the ground at Jonno's feet with a yelp. Looked critical.
"...w-woah," Jonno mumbles, then kneels down to his Pokemon, "Jarod, you okay?"
Jarcanine struggles to get onto its feet, sliding onto its front with each try, grunting loudly.
As much as I respect its spirit, I think this is over. I recall Mary.
"W-wait," Jonno whimpers, "he's not..."
"No point in carrying on," I shrug and turn on my heel and walk off. "Seems I overestimated you."



Sigh...why did I say anything...?
I knew I wasn't gonna win. I seriously embarassed myself.
Again.
I should've known there was more to that Marill, why was I so careless?
And now Jarcanine's confidence has taken a blow. He's just sitting here next to me, ears lowered and looking at the ground.
I give him a stroke between his ears. "Don't worry, I didn't know that'd happen either."
A grunt.
...maybe I'm not cut out for this.  I've lost nearly all my battles, I'm broke, my Pokemon are hungry...I'M hungry.
Sigh...maybe I shou-
"AAHH!!"
...Lori?
Where'd she- OH GOD LORI!!
What's she doing in that river?! She knows she can't swim!
O-oh god, I don't have any- uhhh what do I- oh god...
Oh screw it, I'm going in there!
...wait, is that...
...is that the Marill from earlier? Mary, was it?
What's she- ...woah, she's saving Lori! Did Jarod tell her to?
But, the current's too strong for her too! W-what can I do?!
...is that a Vine Whip? ...woah, a Bayleef!
Wow, thing's got a nasty scar on it.
It's pulling them out of the river!
The vine's going to my side, just down the river. I call Jarod over and hop on, telling him to run further down.
I dread to think what, or who, I'll find.


M-my heart stopped for a second. I...I can't believe what I'm seeing.
Jarod giving my little Teddiursa CPR.
"Move!" I yell, getting on my knees and resting my ear on her chest.
...o-oh god, she's not breathing!
Not my little bear, no...
Dammit, don't cry, not in front of-
"Hang on, I'll keep trying," Jarod mutters, gently shoving me out of the way and pushing gently on her chest.
I just sit back, sniffling and watching. Feeling useless. As usual.
...
Wait, a gasp!
Sh-she's okay! Oh thank Christ!
Wait, why's Jarod taking his shirt off? ...woah, girl look at that body.
Dude's RIPPED. And those tattoos and scars! Damn!
...and I'm over here, total fatass.
I give my belly a poke, which gives a wobble back. Why can't I look good like him?
He wraps Lori up in his shirt and takes a chocolate bar from his backpack, opening it up and handing it to her. She squeaks and grabs it in her little paws, nibbling at it.
I have to smile. Chocolate's always her favourite.
Jarod picks her up and hands her to me, I take her, still nibbling away blissfully.
I look up at Jarod. I...really don't know what to say.
"Th-thank you," I mumble.
"It's fine," he shrugs, giving the Bayleef from earlier a pat on the head, "well done, Dameon."
Dameon? "Ohh, so that Bayleef's yours?"
He nods. "Very loyal and reliable, like the rest of my team."
I have to admit, Dameon does look very well looked after. "Could I see the rest of your Pokemon?"
Jarod shrugs and takes out some Pokeballs, opening them up and releasing various white lights, morphing into his Pokemon.
A Houndoom, a Gengar and a Pikachu, his Rapidash, Marill and Bayleef already laying by the river.
"This is Diesel, Jodie, and Roxie," Jarod begins, pointing to the Houndoom Gengar and Pikachu respectively, then to the rest, "you've already met Incensia, Mary and Dameon."
Wow, they all look so well raised, and strong. No wonder he beat me so bad. "Cool..."
I can't help but notice a nasty scar that Diesel and Dameon both share. "What happened to...?"
"Oh, the scars?" Jarod mutters, letting out a sigh, "pack of Raticate swarmed us about five years ago."
Shit, he was my age. "Woah...does that explain the...?" I point to my eye, indicating Jarod's scar.
He nods.
Ouch.
"Anyway, your Pokemon?" Jarod mumbles, nodding to me.
"O-oh, right!" I cry, fumbling to grab my Pokeballs.
I open them up and let out Mylou, Michy, Kuyo and Jack. Mylou, being the hyperactive Growlithe she is, automatically begins running around in circles after her tail and barking. Michy the Ditto just stretches and stays there like the grumpy blob she is. Kuyo, my faithful Raichu, stretches, yawns and falls on his front with a thud. Lazy bugger, just like me. Jack, my Umbreon, stretches himself out and sits, one ear lowered in relaxation.
"Nice team," Jarod comments with a small smirk, then takes a closer look at them, "they don't look that healthy though..."
Sigh. You don't think I know that? "I know, I'm a crap battler so we don't have a lot of...well, any money really. I always lose."
Jarod frowns. "I see."
"Why do you think I was so reluctant to battle you?" I carry on, "Because I knew I'd lose. As always. I'm letting my Pokemon down."
"But I can tell you love them dearly," Jarod replies, nodding, "and they love you just as much, if not more."
Pffft, right. "I doubt that, I'm an absolute failure." I get up and walk to the river, fishing my wallet from my jeans pocket and holding out my Trainer ID card over the rushing water.
"What're you doing?" Jarod asks, sounding nearly desperate and looking ready to pounce.
"Ending this stupid charade," I sigh, sniffling, "I'm not putting myself, or my Pokemon through this crap anymore."



Jarod lurches up, pulling my away from the river and taking my card from my hand before I can react. "Oh no you don't. You're not throwing your life away over some bad luck. You lose a lot at first, but you keep trying and you get better and better."
"I have been trying," I yell, "I suck at this. End of story."
"Then I'll help you," Jarod says firmly, trying to keep calm, "your Pokemon need proper food so I'll feed them, and I'll teach you how to battle properly."
I tilt my head, considering the offer. "What's the catch?"
Jarod shakes his head. "No catch, just don't get in my way."
Fair enough. "Deal."
Jarod nods and hands me my card, I take it and put it back in my wallet. "Now then, first thing's first. You and your Pokemon need a proper meal."
"You're telling me," I look down, sitting on the ground and wrapping my arms around my legs, "haven't eaten properly in days."
"I can see," Jarod nods, "gimme a second, I'll whip something up."
I tilt my head. "You cook?"
He nods. "For me and my Pokemon."
I look around at them. They do look really healthy. "Alright then."



"Is it ready now?"
"No."
"...how about now?"
"No."
"..............now?"
"NO GOD DAMMIT."
"...................h-"
"I will end you."
"-hhhow nice it smells!"
Smart arse. "Thanks."
"Some kind of steak or something?"
"Something like that, yeah." I nod and turn to Diesel. "Bit more fire." He nods and spits a couple of sparks onto the fire, making it grow. Yeeeah, there we go.
Just a bit of seasoning...perfect. "There, NOW it's done."
"Sweet~!" He grins, holding up a plate. Greedy fuck.
I roll my eyes and slap one of the steaks onto it. "Careful, it's still-"
"OOOWWW!!"
"...hot." Dealing with a fucking genius here.
I take some more off the grill and let them cool, before cutting some up and giving them to the Pokemon. I leave a whole one each for Diesel and the Arcanine.
Jarcanine smiles, laying next to his trainer while eating it up. Cute.
D'aww, the little Teddiursa's leaning against him and nibbling at it.
Isn't long before all of Jonno's Pokemon are finished, and looking much better, I have to say. Him too. Even his Ditto finally has a smile on her face.
"That was amazing~" He smiles, cuddling his little Teddiursa.
"Thanks," I smile a bit, "hunted them myself."
He frowns. "...hunted?"
"Yeah?" I nod, raising an eyebrow, "Never tried Pidgey before?"
"Urp!"
"What?"
"Pidgey?!"
"Yeah? I eat it all the time."
"Oh GOD!!"
"It's only bird, geez. Besides, you liked it."
"...true, it was good."
"There you go then." I roll my eyes and set the leftovers in a dish next to me. "What now?"
"...talk about traveling?" He suggests.
...eh. "Sure."



"...and then I used those Blastoise to pull my raft."
"No way!"
"Way."
"Wooaaaahhh..."
Damn, Jarod's being about. I had no idea you could DO that!
...
Huh? What was that?
"You ok?" Jarod grunts.
"O-oh yeah," I nod, "just thought I heard someone calling me."
"...huh." He raises an eyebrow.
"I know," I tilt my head, "anyw-"
_"Jonno!"
"See? There it is again!"
"You sure?"
"Yeah! Like, a girl's voice...a cute one too."
"You wish, kid."
"Shuddup."
"Jonno!"
"See? Right there!"
Suddenly, the bush behind Jarod starts rustling. "Dude, behind you!"
"Huh?" He looks behind him...and a girl pops up.
...ooh, hello~
Ginger, looks kinda on the short side, kinda pudgy, nice knockers...I like.
"Oh, um, excuse me," she whimpers, so she WAS the one calling me!
"What's up?" I frown.
"Have you seen my Munchlax?" She asks softly, "He wandered off again."
...wait, Jonno, Munchlax...HEY!
I cover my stomach. "I'm not a Munchlax!"
"E-excuse me?" She whimpers, sniffing.
"I heard you call my name!"
"...o-oh, your name is...oh I'm so sorry!" O-oh fuck she's on the brink of tears!
Jarod gets up and puts an arm around her.
...hey.
"Calm down love, relax," he says softly, "we'll find your Munchlax. What's he look like?"
...'love'?!
"W-well, he's shiny, he has a brown head of fur, a red bowtie, and...he's rather pudgy for a Munchlax," she blushes gently, "I kinda spoil him a bit."
"Don't panic, we'll find him," I nod and stand up, "...oh and, sorry..."
"I-it's okay," she sniffles, "thank you. My name's Lori."
"Jarod," he mumbles, then points to me, "Jonno."
She looks at me...is she blushing? "H-hi."
"H-hey." I give probably a really dorky smile.
...what's that in the bushes?
Oh, an Espeon. A really pretty one with a nice mane. Kinda short though.
...what's with Jack? He's blushing.
"Anything, Esther?" Lori asks it. Must be hers then.
Esther shakes its head, a frown of regret on its face. "...oh."
"Wait, shut up for a second," Jarod grunts, "...you hear that?"
...yeah I do actually. Really soft crunching. "What is that?"
Jarod nods to Diesel, who nods back and pokes his head into a bush.
...
"LAX!"
Diesel backs out of the bush...dragging something in his teeth.
...so there WAS a Munchlax!
"JONNO!" Lori cries, running over and picking up the Munchlax, with a bit of effort, and snuggling him into her.
...breasts.
Which he nuzzles happily.
Lucky bastard.
"Thank you, boy!" Lori smiles at Diesel, patting his head softly. Diesel just grunts.
Like Pokemon, like trainer.
"And thanks to both of you," she smiles at me and Jarod, "um...if you don't mind, I'd like to travel with you guys. Give me someone to talk to who can talk back."
SCORE! "Sure!"
"Fair enough, love," Jarod nods.
Stop calling her that.
...though I have to wonder, Jarod's Pokemon look really dangerous, yet Lori petted Diesel with no problem.
Maybe they're just acting tough?
Hmmm...I'll try with his Pikachu. I gently lift her up under the arms. "Hello there!"
...why's she scowling at me?
"Oh, about Roxie," Jarod calls to me, smirking, "she doesn't like strangers touching her."
...
Bollocks.