The 'Locke is Coming to Unova ~ Book 2

I had my hands in my pockets as I strolled through the cool, dark yet light, quiet yet noisy large city of Castellia. I glanced up at the dark, nigh starless night sky above the many tall and intimidating apartment buildings and businesses. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"
I quietly asked a poke-ball, as I grabbed it off my belt and examined it. It seemed to shake in response. I twisted my thumb, and pressed the button on the poke-ball to release it's contents. A tall, male Leavanny, Leafy hood pulled down, stood before me moments later. He looked at me with expectant eyes. I came to a stop in the road before him. "Hey A.T." I greeted with a cheery smile. He gave me a quick nod. Then Suddenly all the lights of the city went out around me. Both me and A.T. looked around in surprise "a blackout?" I asked,
startled. "Nondo, come here for a second." I released another pokemon from it's confines.

A great Volcarona, a fair bit larger then me, showed himself. I quickly pulled myself onto his back. "Nondo, there's a power outage. Take to the air, let's find the source." Nondo started flapping his great red glowing wings, little embers being thrown from them with all the movement, and soon we were flying over the Unova region. "It's the whole region..."
I thought in surprise. Then I thought I saw something dark flash out the corner of my eye.
"This isn't just a black out, is it?" I murmured, more to myself then to Nondo, but Nondo replied "Something does seem off, miss." Suddenly a huge gusher of water shot up out of the ground right infront of us. I pulled back on Nondo, who desperately tried to stop before he got too wet from it. "Waterfall... But... Who.." A black shadow shot up through the gusher, spinning around it's edges as it was carried into the air then I heard a familiar broken cry. "The 'Locke!" With a flap of it's great wings, it was dashing straight for us.

Nondo dove, dodging the creature. I could see the purple patches of void growing on the ground and buildings of the city below, but I couldn't stay in the air. It was too difficult to dodge, or fight the 'Locke at night, when it was near invisible.

Our landing was far from gentle, and I half fell, half slid off Nondo, and stumbled a few steps before regaining my balance. We had landed in the grass of a nearby route. "Nondo!
We have to find A.T.!" Nondo's eyes grew wide, and he took to the air, staying low, and scanning the ground below him. I ran after the giant moth-like creature, calling out from my lost Leavvany. As we searched, it was getting more and more difficult to avoid the growing patches of void spreading and growing around me. Their edges coated with what looked like a purple bubbling ooze, and the inside of the large holes being pure black. Also, I slowly started to hear the cries of the panicked citizens, and their pokemon as they tried to run from the void.

I suddenly saw A.T., confusedly looking back and forth, panic in his red gaze. "A.T.!"
I called. He looked over at me, and started running towards me. But I wasn't watching where I was going, and suddenly tripped over nothing, and fell into the black.. black... Black...

Saaarrahhh!! Saarahh I'm home!!!! Where are you???!!" I heard a gasp, and slowly opened my eyes sitting up, I looked over towards where the voice was coming from. "where am I? Who is that? Why do-" "owww... my head.." "What happened?!" My vision started to focus a bit. Before me stood a middle aged woman,
her dark brown hair tightly bound in a bun on the top of her head, and she wore a light grey dress, and she was staring at me in horror, from the entrance of a small bedroom with a TV and pink decor such as a lamp, and fuzzy rug, and a full body white framed mirror hung on the wall just past the foot of the bed, on which I seemed to be laying "this isn't my room..." "Wh-what happened?! Are you ok?!" The woman rasped, partially repeating herself. "O-oh... I..I'm ok... I think.." "B-but... Your hair... Your clothes..." I stood, on slightly shaky legs, and made my way over to the mirror. "YIKES!" my mid length dirty-blond, almost brown hair was burned on one side, leaving grotesque singed ends, and my clothes were riddled with several small burn holes.

I ran my hand through the short side of my hair. "ohhhh boy..." The woman walked over to me, and put her arm around me. "You still won't tell me what happened, dear." Her voice was gentle, obviously trying to coax me into opening up. Not that I had been consciously avoiding her question. "O-oh... Just an accident with... some pokemon." The woman narrowed her eyes concernedly. "O-ok... You don't have to tell me right now. But, as your mother, it is my job to worry." "my mother...? Okkaayy..." "a-anyway.." she murmured hesitantly "I came to say that Juniper has arranged for you to go on a pokemon journey,
would that be ok with you? Do you want a pokemon?" I didn't catch myself in time, and squealed like a child who was quite younger then my actual age. My mother laughed "I'm taking that as a yes." I nodded vigorously.

My mom put her finger up. "One requirement though, you've got to bring a pokedex along,
and help her fill it with the the new pokemon appearing around the region in the past two years sense Team Plazma was defeated." I stiffened "The void... brought me to two years in the future?!" I glanced at my mom. She looked back and caught my nervous expression. "But you don't have to worry about them. They've started taking measures to make amends for their old actions. Now, there's a girl over by the lookout. Her name is Bianca. She'll be giving you your first pokemon, and your pokedex." I nodded "Thank you!"
"I haven't seen Bianca in a while. This'll be fun!" "Before you go, let me fix up your hair a bit. Just cut off the singed ends." I nodded.

After just a few minutes, my mom had styled my burnt off hair, and I also got a change of clothes. It was a bit warm for the weather, wearing dark grey skinny jeans, black lace up boots, and a grey and white long sleeved shirt, and putting on a visor from my closet.
Looking in my mirror again, I thought I looked pretty cute!

Then, waving goodbye to my mom, I turned and dashed out the door.

It wasn't hard to find Bianca, running through the very london-like streets of what turned out to be Aspertia City, and I was looking up at the big buildings around me, this being a whole new town to me, when suddenly I ran into someone, and heard a male voice grunt as we both fell backwards. "a-are you ok?" I rasped, feeling my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. "I'm fine." Grumbled the response. I sat up, and looked over at the person I had knocked over. Who sat in front of me, was a young boy about my age, his bluey-black hair seeming to be spiked with a gel of some sort. He wore a red zip up jacket, and black baggy pants, and red sneakers. There was a little girl standing over him two, wearing a little light pink dress. "Sorry about that." The boy grumbled. "A-awe yu okei?" the little girl asked shyly. "Ya, I'm good." he smirked at her and gave her a pat on the head, as he stood. He then reached a hand out to me. "I'm sorry. It really was my fault." I apologized. "I gotcha." He said. giving me a thumbs up with his free hand. I took his offer to help me up. "I'm Hugh by the way." He said, crossing his arms. "And I'm Sarah." "Oh you must be the new girl."

"I guess so?" I shrugged. Not knowing exactly how 'new' I was supposed to be. "Well, I'm going to be going on a pokemon journey soon. When you get a pokemon, we should travel together." I tilted my head. "Actually I'm looking for a girl named Bianca right now. She's going to be giving me a pokemon. I'm going on a journey myself." His face lit up. "OH! Well then! Come on, lets find her!" And he grabbed my arm and started running down the street "WAAIT!" His sister wailed. "I CAN'T KEEP UP!" He slowed a bit and looked over his shoulder, still firmly gripping my arm "Go back to the house, sis! I'll meet you there later." She nodded, and ran off in a different direction. He then took off again.

I told Hugh where Bianca was supposed to be, and we made our way straight over. When we got there, he finally let go of my arm, and together we made our way up the stairs. Hugh stopped at the top, and leaned against the railing. "You go on and get your pokemon. Go on." He flicked his hand at me, in a gesture to move on. I turned and walked across the cement patio towards the familiar figure leaning against the very fancy white railing, looking out at the many forested routes ahead. "Wow! It's so beautiful!" She squealed. I smiled, as I was quickly reminded of my old Journey. I thought fondly of Samurai, and the rest of the team. Currently on a vacation in the Alola region, far from here. Shaking myself out of it, I went to catch her attention, but she must have heard my footsteps. "Don't you agree?" She asked cheerily, without looking over at me. "Yeah." I said. Trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. "It's gorgeous." And it was, with all the trees, and the river reflecting the suns light in just a way that it would sparkle brilliantly. Bianca stiffened when she heard me,
and slowly turned around. "S-Sarah...?" Her face lit up.

I could now see Bianca wore a tasteful slim fitting white dress, and an extremely fluffy orange jacket, she held her usual green purse, and wore her usual similarly colored green hat. And... She had red glasses on "When did you get glasses?" I laughed." "AAHHH!!!" She screamed with joy, and without warning wrapped her arms around me in a huge hug. I quickly returned it. "It's been too long!" I chuckled "IT SO HAS!!! Oh my gosh, YOU must be the Sarah here for a pokemon, right?!" I nodded, pulling away from the hug. "Oohhh! Good!!! I thought that.. That because you already had pokemon, that you wouldn't be the Sarah coming here." I smirked "My pokemon are on vacation. But I can't really travel around without a partner, so Juniper said I could have one of the starters for beginners." "how did I know that? I never heard anything from Juniper..."

She nodded understandingly, having a comically serious look on her face. I then watched as she reached into her bag, and grabbed out a container with three pokeballs inside. "Choose one!" she quipped. I looked between the pokeballs. One was wiggling vigerously. I grabbed it, and released it's contents. A Tepig. Bianca laughed "I think it likes you." I laughed.
"He probably thinks I have food for him." The Tepig raised an eyebrow at me. "I'll choose you little buddy!" "Cool!" Bianca laughed. "Hey, what do you wanna call your Tepig?"
"Hmm.." I released it from it's pokeball, (it having been automatically returned to it when I chose it) and examined it, trying to come up with a good name. "First off." The Tepig said. It's feminine voice catching me off guard. "I'm a girl."
I stiffened. "Wait.. What?" Bianca's face flashed with confusion. "You're... A... Girl?!"

"Well DUH!" She growled. "What'd you think, gal Tepig did'nuh exist?" Bianca glanced at the Tepig. "I still find it weird you can talk to Pokemon." I laughed "Yeah it can be weird being one of the rare few." Addressing the Tepig again, I said "N-No... I knew they existed...
I just... Th-they... You're.. Rare." She rolled her eyes. "I'm nawt a shiny, ya'know."
"Y-yeah. Sorry. So, what is your name?" She sighed. "Babe. Everyone just calls me Babe."
I nodded. "Babe it is, then." Bianca smiled. "Babe! I like that."

*Babe (Tepig, Female. Level 5-)

Now my journey really felt like it was starting.

Bianca then handed me a pokedex, then knelt down, and stroked Babe on the head. She narrowed her eyes "Hey you, thick head! I'm not a Lilipup!" I laughed at her. "Babe, let her. She can't understand you like I can." Babe glared at me, and Bianca glanced up, still stroking Babe's little nose. "Oh, she doesn't like it?"
I shook my head, a kind of ashamed look on my face. "She thinks it's disrespectful."
She sighed, and looked like she was about to say something, but I didn't notice, and waved
goodbye. "I've gotta run. I want to hang out with Babe a bit, and maybe catch more poekmon before training for the gym." Bianca nodded. I turned, and started trotting down the stairs, when Hugh, who had been waiting for me at their bottom grabbed my shoulder "what is THAT?!" he gasped, his eyes locked on my Pokedex which I held in my hand.
I held it up "this?" "Yeah, what IS that?" "Oh my pokedex. It logs pokemon you ecounter.

"Oh woooww!! That is so cool!" Bianca walked up behind me, her high heels clacking gently on the cement. "I have an extra... Sir... If you want it!" She gave Hugh a big smile. "OH COOL! Can I...?" He reached his hand out. Bianca giggled "Sure!" She then reached into her bag, and pulled out another pokedex, and passed it to him. I nodded, and stepped off the bottom step. "WAIT!" Hugh snapped. I froze in my tracks, and turned to face him. "I want to battle you. You have a pokemon now, don't you?" I nodded. "And I have this Oshawott I've raised from an egg..." He released a little Oshawott from it's pokeball. The Oshawott looked around, then up at it's owner "hey Hugh!" It squeaked. "Are you... Sure you want to risk it's life?" I murmured quietly. Hugh nodded "I'm going on a Journey, and taking this little guy with me. I know the risks." I nodded, and let out a stressed sigh. I didn't want to risk Babe's life... Suddenly her pokeball glowed, and she burst out of it. "I ain't weak, little miss.
I'm a mite stronger then THAT."

"Ok, then... I trust you... Go for it, use tackle!" Babe burst forward in a rush of speed.
"DODGE IT!" Hugh snapped, His Oshawott leaped but... Babe had predicted it's movement! "What?! HOW?!" I gasped. She slammed her full wheight right into the Oshawott's upper chest. CRITICAL HIT the Oshawott slammed into the ground, and tumbled several steps back. Babe landed, and lifted her little nose. "That oughtta do it, missy." She smirked at me. I stared at her in awe "maybe...We'll be ok..." The Oshawott slowly and shakily sat up. "HOW DID THAT LITTLE RUNT SURVIVE THAT?!" Babe screeched. "Tackle! DON'T kill it." I warned. Babe charged forward. "Oh no you don't..." the Oshawott growled "Tackle!" Hugh called. The Oshawott pulled it's shell off it's chest, cracked after the hit from Babe, and threw it at her. It hit her in the face... But... It didn't even knock her off course. She slammed into the Oshawott, pinning it.

Bianca called "Hugh's Oshawott is down! Sarah's Babe wins!" She then proceeded to applaud vigorously.
"Is it ok?" I asked, picking Babe up. Hugh picked up his Oshawott, and examined it.
"Yeah, he'll be fine." I sighed in relief. "Good!" Bianca then offered to show me around the Pokemon Center, but I said I knew how it worked. I then waved goodbye, returned Babe to her pokeball, and made my way to Route 19.

at the Route Gate I had seen 'my mom' and Hugh's lttle sister trot up to me. 'My mom' had wished me good luck, and Hugh's sister had given me a couple of town maps. One for Hugh, and one for me. I thanked both gratefully, and made my way through the gate.

As I walked along the grassy cliffside route, I heard a voice behind me "Hey you!" I turned to face the noise. A little Patrat stood behind me, taking a defensive posture. It had quite long hair on the back of it's neck that it spiked. It also wore little dark pink glasses, that only had a wire on the bottom. "What are you doing on MY territory?!" It snarled I was about to apologize, when Babe released herself from her poke'ball, and tackled the Patrat, who skidded back, but didn't seem to badly hurt.
I threw one of the pokeballs I bought at the Pokemon Center. It hit  her square in the face.

1...2...3...4! Caught!

"I think Rascal is a cute name."

*Rascal (Patrat, Female. Level 4-)

I released her from her Poke'ball "Well that was uncalled for." She crossed her arms.
"Sorry. But I don't trust Babe here not to kill pokemon she battles against yet." "That pokeball saved yur laif, honey." Rascal gave her a weird look. "weeelll all creepers aside,
Why'd you capture me?" "I need your help against an evil creature called "The Locke"
Rascal tilted her head. "Seems fun." "you could die" "Never couldn't." I nodded. "OK then,
welcome to our team!"

Rascal climbed up onto my shoulder, then onto my head, and flopped onto it. She gave a slightly malicious laugh, and pawed at my eyes, as I started walking further down the route.
I batted her paws off my eye as I kept walking, as she was making it extremely hard to see "Hehe, your eyelashes are soft." I batted at her paw one more time. "I can't see, goofball." "Eeeehheee! You are sooo funny!!" I rolled my eyes, and just ignored Rascal, as we kept walking. Suddenly as we passed under a cliff, I saw some small rocks tumble down it.
Looking up, (and Rascal painfully digging her claws in to hold on) I saw a familiar face staring down at me. He leapt down the cliff, and stared me down "I am Alder, a fellow trainer in Unova. Who are you?" He had a serious expression that seemed fairly unfitting for him.
Tentatively, I replied "Sarah... You know me, don't you?" He glared at me. "You look just like her. You can't be though. It's impossible." "Wha..? Don't you remember me?" He blinked at me. "I remember HER, but I don't think I know you. Let me see though..." He then proceeded to circle me. I could feel his judgement as he did so, and tensely just stood there. Finally, he had made a full circle and was facing me again. "You look just like her. But you can't be. You're just a budding trainer." He sighed, as if in defeat. "But you do seem pretty strong for a budding trainer." Rascal growled from where she was, splayed out on my head. "You better bet she's strong!" in a lower tone she grumbled "i could roast you over an open fire and call you dinner if i wanted...." I glared up at her. Not that she could see it past my visor.

"Well..." Alder said after a moment of thought. "Why don't you come with me to Floccesy Town. There I can really see how strong you are." So together, in awkward silence, we made our way to Floccesy Town. He lead me to a little battle court in the back left corner of the very western looking town. He then turned to me, and looked like he was about to say something when he noticed that I had two town maps sticking out of my bag. "Why do you have two..." He asked hesitantly "One's for Hugh. My neighbor from my hometown." He nodded "Aaah, I see. Hugh, huh? I heard a boy going by that name head to the Floccesy Ranch on Route 20. Why don't you deliver that map, then come back, and I'll test your strength then." I nodded, and searched the edges of the town, (and healed my pokemon at the town's poke'center) before finally finding the gate to Route 20.

I made an awed gasp at the incredible view from the high up path of the early parts of route 20. I thought I could see everything from there! It was amazing. As I was walking, I felt something under my foot, and heard a frightened squeak. I quickly took a step back, and looked down at what I had stepped on. A little Sewaddle! I reached down an picked it up. It squirmed in my grasp. "Heey heey now, are you ok?" ">m<!!!" It made no sound other then more squeaks. "I'm really sorry about that. I didn't mean to step on you." "Clutz." Rascal teased from her spot, which was of course on my head once again. "QmQ.." The Sewaddle looked up at me frightenedly. "Hah... Well how about you come with me, and I can get you healed up. Then we can travel together." "<m<... ... ^w^!" It stopped squirming and instead just looked up at me with a kind of... absent ...happy expression. So I grabbed out a poke'ball, and let the Sewaddle hold it.

1...2...3...4! Caught

In the end, we called her Poppyseed

*Poppyseed (Sewaddle, Female. Level 3-)

It wasn't a much farther walk to the ranch where Hugh was supposedly staying. And just inside, I saw a patch of grass, with a little blue Azurill poking it's head out at me. I walked over to it, looking around at the large fenced in pastures with several Miltank, and Turos grazing in them. as I approached, the Azurill bounced up and down in fright Azurill used Splash I laughed "awwe, you're so cute." The Azurill stopped bouncing. Glancing up at me in fear. "O-oh... So you won't... Hurt me..." Poppyseed, who was still in my arms. Slowly made her way over the Azurill, and bopped it's head with hers. The Azurill looked at Poppyseed nervously. (But Poppyseed hadn't learned any grass moves yet) "D-do.. yuo know where... Where.. my sister is?" I tilted my head. "No. You're the first Azurill I've seen in quite a while." The Azurill looked sad. "Oh." "But maybe I can help you find her?" It looked up at me excitedly "Yu-you'd do that? Th-thank you!" I smiled, and gently touched her head with a pokeball

1..2..3..4! Caught

*Ripple (Azurill, Female. 5-)

Then I saw who I was looking for coming towards me.

Hugh approached me, hands in pockets "Hey. Nice catch, newbie." He had a teasing look on his face that said he meant no offence by his words. I smiled back "Thanks. Here, this is for you." I reached out and handed him his map. "A town map? This is from my sis, isn't it?" "Yeah she wanted you to have it." He nodded. "Thanks" Then two staff of the ranch came trotting up to us. "Hey you haven't seen a Herdier around recently, have you?" The boy asked worriedly. The girl added "Usually our two Herdier are always together. But today one of them is missing."

I gasped "oh no! I ho-" Hugh quickly cut me off "ARE YOU CRAZY?!" They both shared a startled look with each other, and I tried to cut in and quiet Hugh to no avail. "YOU'RE POKEMON COULD BE DEAD BUT YOU DON'T EVEN SEEM TO CARE!" "Wh-well.. It's proably just.. Off in the woods..." The male staff member stammered. Hugh huffed, not letting the boy finish. "Come on, Sarah. We'll find it." "A-actually.." I began, about to go into how Alder needed me back at the town, but he wasn't listening "Let's go." He turned and dashed off.

Flashing an annoyed expression, I turned and ran after Hugh. "WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" Rascal cheered as I ran, still happily laying on my head. Hugh and I went to search the more forested area of the ranch. It was rather dark, and gloomy there. It actually reminded me of Pinwheel Forest, not that I knew where that was from here.

Eventually I heard an angry yap, followed by a growl. "HUGH! OVER HERE!" I called to Hugh, who was searching further along the path. I cut through the trees, and pushed through the bushes until I entered a small clearing. I saw a man dressed in black, with a black cap, black bandana covering his mouth, and a black  baggy matching jacket and jeans. Infront of him, was the Herdier. "H-hey!" What are you doing?!" I narrowed my eyes at the guy. It had been quite a long time before I had faced a person with less then good intentions.

He looked up at me. "This Herdier is being really frustrating!" He pointed childishly. I lifted an eyebrow. He then continued. "My boss shoulda given me a different job, I'm no fighter." I tilted my head. He then sighed "Have you ever heard of the name of Team Plasma?" I narrowed my eyes. "Oh, yes I do. I-" he cut me off. "OF COURSE YOU DO! EVERYONE will grow to FEAR team Plasma! Urgh, but for now, just take this. I don't have time for you." He threw something at my feet. It was a TM case. "TM Frustration, huh? Hah, typical."

I didn't notice that he had run past me and out of sight while I was examining the TM. I glanced up, and saw he was gone. "wait... Where'd you.." Hugh then rounded the corner, having taken the longer, yet easier path to get to the clearing. "OH! You found it!" He laughed, approaching the Herdier, who seemed tentitive of the whole situation. "Hey there little guy. You're ok." Hugh stroked it's head, and the pokemon seemed to calm down somewhat. Hugh picked it up, and we both made our way back out into the open, where the two staff were waiting for us.

"Thank you so much for returning this Herdier to us." the boy said. "Yeah! I was really worried about it." Added the girl. Hugh crossed his arms. "You should take better care of your pokemon." He growled. Both staff looked kind of shocked, and also ashamed. "Pokemon are not invincable." he chided. "Hugh it isn't.." Hugh ignored me. "They could DIE. Some people don't deserve to have pokemon." He shook his head, and just walked off without a word.

"I'm sorry about him." I murmured. "I only recently met him, but he doesn't really seem to be usually THAT agressive." The girl sighed. "Maybe something happened in his past that made him act like that?" I shrugged. "Maybe." She leaned down and pet the herdier. "Anyway, thank you for bringing this one back." "You're welcome." I then waved, and left, and made my way back to Floccesy Town, and found my way back to where Alder was waiting.

"sorry I took so long." I apologized as I approached. He shrugged "That's ok. It took longer to get ready then I thought anyway." I nodded, and he put a hand on my shoulder and guided me into a little shack just beyond the battling field.

There, he had two young trainers waiting for me. They both had two pokemon standing before them. Alder faced me. "As a test of your strength, I want you to defeat these two trainers." I nodded. "Rascal?" "I am SOOOO on it!" She leapt off my head and tackled the younger trainer's Lilipup to the ground

Suffice to say that they both were easily defeated without me needing to switch Rascal out at all.

Afer the last Patrat fell, Alder nodded. "Well congratulations. You are a tougher trainer then I thought." I laughed. "Apparently, you have no idea." He sighed, and rolled his eyes. "Will you stop pretending your HER, and just be who you are?" I blinked in surprise. But I got the odd feeling he wasn't about to explain himself, so I just murmured. "o-ok..." I then turned and left. Rascal giving Alder a raspberry before turning her nose up at him, crossing her little arms, and following me off the battle court.


Now it was time to train for the Gym in Aspertia City.


Ripple was the weakest of the team by far, as Azurill in general don't really become strong enough to handle themselves until they're Marill, so I decided to train her first.

She had been training with Rascal as her mentor for a little while, but when I saw a weak looking Lilipup, I said to her "Test your metal, kid. I think you can handle this guy yourself." I noticed one of the Lilipup's eyes was milky, and whited out. I didn't give it much thought though. Maybe the Lilipup had hurt it's eye?

"OK, use Water Gun." I called to Ripple. She took a deep breath, and shot a bullet of water forward. It lightly soaked the Lilipup, who easily shook it's fur out, and growled, baring it's teeth. It then charged forward in a tackle. Ripple was knocked back, but neither had done much damage to each other.

I realized Ripple had done slightly more damage though, and also was moving first, so I decided to let this play out. No matter how long it took. I kind of sat back, and watched, keeping an eye on the two.

This spamming of Water Gun and Tackle went on for quite a while, until the Lilipup changed tacktics. It started using leer instead, frightening the already nervous Ripple, and lowering her defense.

After several turns of this, (Ripple using Water Gun, and the Lilipup using Leer) It charged again in a Tackle. CRITICAL HIT Ripple was sent flying back, and slammed hard into the fence surrounding the pasture we were practicing in, and causing a resounding CRACK to be heard. I jumped to my feet. "RIPPLE!" I ran forward, and crouched by her. Babe released herslef from her pokeball, and called "I'll deal with this peice of trash!" and easily sent the Lilipup packing with a Tackle.

"Ripple.. Are you ok?" She didn't respond. And I got a very bad, familiar feeling. "oh no..." Rascal, who had been standing next to me before, walked over. "Hey, kiddo. Get up!" She gently shook Ripple. "Rascal... She's... Gone.." Rascal and Babe both stiffened. "Wh-Whut..." Babe gasped softly.

"O-oh nooo!" Rascal gasped horrified. "I-I was supposed... To be protecting her... I I'm sorry..." I rubbed her back with my hand "you did nothing wrong.." Poppyseed decided at this point that she was bored in her pokeball, and popped out. She made her comical waddle over to Ripple, and playfully booped Ripple's head with her own. None of us said anything, and silently watched as Poppyseed failed to stimulate her dead friend, by happily giggling as she repeatedly booped Ripple's head.

After a few moments of this, she finally caught on that something was wrong. She looked up at me "OmO; ->" She held a scared expression on her face as she desprately gestured to Ripple with her little stubby black leg. Still none of us said anything, but I reached forward and grabbed Poppysee, gently petting her. Babe moved over towards Rascal, and sat close to her to comfort her, as I gave Poppyseed a small little food pellet as a treat, and returned her to her pokeball.


We ended up not training the rest of the day, and burried Ripple nearby, next to the patch of grass where I had found her. "I..I'm sorry we never found your sister." I whispered to her.

--

It had been several days sense Ripple's death, and I watched as Rascal, who's training was last, after everyone else had finished theirs, easily defeated another Patrat in battle. "Good." I encouraged. A Riolu stepped out of the grass next. A level 7 Riolu. I noted that this was probably the strongest Riolu Rascal had faced, but I also doubted that it would know a fighting type move at this point. I also noticed Rascal looked kinda beat up, and was panting. "I'll get you healed after this battle." I called to her. "Cool thanks!" She called. "I'll look forward to that."

She charged forward in a Tackle. (Her Bite not being quite strong yet) The Riolu's eyes widened, and it braced itself. "what is it...Wait.." It's fist started glowing "Oh no, OH NO! RASCAL WAIT THAT'S-" The Riolu took the damage of Rascal's tackle, sliding back a bit, but not loosing it's balance. It then slammed it's fist into the side of Rascal's head. The Wild Riolu used Counter "OH GOSH! Rascal!! Are you ok?!" There's no way she could have taken that hit! No way any of them could have taken it! It was COUNTER and she had done SO MUCH damage to the Riolu with her Tackle.. She.." I closed my eyes tightly, already knowing the outcome of that attack.

Babe realeased herself from her pokeball "RASCAL HUN! HANG IN THERE!" She ran next to me as I hurried to the downed Patrat's side, and crouched next to her, tears flowing freely from my face. "RIOLU! YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL HER! WE WERE TRAINING!" Babe looked stunned "She's... Gone too? N-no, that can't be! She was gunna... We were..." A look of pure hate seeped onto her face, and with eyes glowing orange with heat, she wheeled around to face the Riolu.

"HOW DAAARE YOU!!!" She charged forward, her whole body becoming enveloped in flames as she ran, and she slammed herslef full force into the Riolu. Who was killed by the force of her attack.

Even after that, Babe, tears streaming from her eyes, kept slamming her hooves on the Riolu with tackles. "YOU. WILL. PAY. YOU..." She stopped, and just broke down sobbing.

If pokemon ever get the chance to kill you, they'll will... NEVER give them that chance...

--

It had been several weeks now sense Rascal's death. I had bascally done nothing sense then. staring blankly at the sky, sitting next to her grave. I had felt kind of numb with grief sense her death, and uncertain of what to do next.

Suddenly Babe released herself from her Pokeball, closely followed by Poppyseed. My two living pokemon.

"What?" I growled. "You fall off a horse, you get right back on that beast." Babe said quietly. Poppyseed curled up on my stomach, as if asleep "omq </3" "... OK.. I see what your saying... But... What is there left to do?" "Face the gym, 'course." Babe answered without hesitation. "With two pokemon? But you'll both die! Just- Just.." Babe quieted me. "Listen, you can't give up, just 'cause you've been through a rough patch. You've gotta just keep movin' forward to you cain't no more. You still have Pop 'ore there, don'tcha? And you got me! That should count for somthin' right?" I sighed. "OK. Fine." I held Poppyseed close to myself, and stood up.

We then made our way to the gym. (Carrying Poppyseed the whole way)

We returned safely to Aspertia City, and made our way to the newly opened gym. "I wonder who the gym leader is. I never went to Aspertia last time I was here." I made sure my pokemon were fully healed, then entered the school. I was greeted by a very cheery teacher (Somehow) and several elementary aged kids all playing together, or studying. They all ran up to me when I came in, all happily pelting me with questions, and calling to the others that 'there's a trainer over here!'  I laughed as they crowded around me, still holding Poppyseed in my arms.

"OK, ok, I'm going to challenge the gym here, but first, I'll let you guys play with my poke'mon. Just be real gentle with them, ok, they're pretty young." The students all squealed, and jumped up and down. Some nodded in agreement to my terms. I then released Babe from her poke'ball, and she was very caught off guard. "Whut's all this?!" She asked,
startled. "These trainer trainees-" as I was growing to call them "- want to play with you a bit." I then handed Poppyseed, (who was asleep now) very carefully to a more older,
mature seeming student, as she was quite a bit more fragile then Babe.

The kids happily pet, scratched, and pretended to battle with my pokemon, and the older Trainer Trainees happily passed Poppyseed around, and pretended the sleeping pokemon was an infant. After a good 45 minutes of this, I called "OK, guys. I've got to challenge the gym, so I'm gonna need my pokemon back." What I heard was a collective 'aaaawwwwee!' I chuckled. "sorry guys." I returned Babe to her pokeball (much to her relief) and carefully took (the STILL (somehow) sleeping) Poppyseed from the little girl holding and petting her,
and carried her into the gym, clipping Babe's pokeball to my belt.

Inside the gym, I saw a huuuugge room, the ground layered with dirt, and painted with two large battle courts. Near the entrance to the gym, I saw a young man, with a light blue collared jacket, black hair, and comfortable grey suit pants talking with two very attentive students, a boy and a girl. Suddenly the girl glanced over in my direction, and I saw her eyes grow wide. "Uhh... There's a trainer here..." The adult turned around, and his face just went pale. "Cheren?!" I gasped in surprise. "I can't believe it! Hi! You're... The gym leader?!" "S-Sarah...?" He rasped in a shocked tone. "H-how... I... You..." He... started tearing up. "Wh-what's wrong?" I asked concerned, taking a step closer. "You...You're...
Alive..." I tilted my head. "O-of course..?" I was feeling really concerned now.

"Y-you've been.. Been missing... For... Two years... We-we all thought.. You were dead.."
a tear ran down his cheek. Both students looked between him and I with shocked expressions. "Th-the only ones who.. kept hope, were... Your mom... And Bianca.." Now I was crying. "Oh my goodness... I... I'm so sorry! " I ran forward and hugged him with one arm, still holding Poppyseed in the other.

"The 'Locke attacked again. I fell into the void." I spoke, my voice muffled by his jacket. I then pulled away. He seemed so relieved that I was alive. "I woke up here, two years later. I'm guessing the void transported me here." think the city was evacuated before anyone else fell in though." My face flashed with concern. "I hope A.T. is doing ok..." I sighed.
Cheren put his hands on my shoulders. "I am SO glad you're ok though. It was tough...
When we thought we lost you." I gave him a partly sympathetic, partly fond smile, unsure what to say though.

I then sighed. "I'm sorry I put you all through that." He shrugged, and smiled. "Don't worry.
It wasn't your fault." Now, he glanced at Poppyseed in my arms. "It seems your hear for a pokemon battle?" I nodded. "Ahh perfect! It'll be great to fight you again. It's been too long." I nodded "Just go gently. These pokemon are quite young, as you can see." I gently stroked Poppyseed. He nodded. "OK, I'll go grab more appropriate pokemon, and you can help teach these Students some stuff about battling until I get back. IF you're ok with that?"
I nodded "sure. It'll be like the obstacles before a gym." He laughed "Yeah. They're going to be the gym trainers. I'm just still setting stuff up." He glanced around. "You know, I never asked what you thought." He puffed his chest out a bit, and I laughed "It looks amazing!
Very open." He laughed "OK, I'm going to go get the pokemon." I nodded, and approached the students. "OK, one at a time, you can each take a turn fighting Babe here, my Tepig."

They nodded, and the boy sent out his Patrat. "Ok, so most battle are about speed, and power." The child nodded. "A move that is the same type as the pokemon using the move.
Like, because Babe here is a Fire Type, if she used a fire type move, it'd be more powerful.
Babe," Babe looked up at me, thoroughly confused as to what we were doing. "Use Flame Charge." She reared, her entire body being enveloped in fire, then she charged forward,
and slammed into the Patrat, easily taking it down. "Woaaahh.." I nodded. Also be aware of which is stronger with YOUR pokemon. They're physical attacks, such as punching or kicking, or their special attack, such as breathing fire, or throwing something." The Trainer Trainee nodded vigorously. "Thank you!" "Of course. But now go get that Patrat healed."


He picked up his Patrat, and left the room. I then approached the girl, who was waiting for me at the further battle court. "I heard what you told him." She explained. "OK then."
I smiled. "Why don't we see what you learned, and if you can be a match for Babe here."
Babe, who had just walked by my side over to the other trainer, took her place in front of me. The little girl sent her Lilipup out. I gave Poppyseed a quick stroke, as she made a little squeak in my arms, stretched,
and turned over "^w^<3" but she was still asleep. "ok, Babe." I said to the Tepig. "Flame Charge." She charged forward. "Dodge!" The girl yelped to her pokemon. The Lilipup leapt to get out of the way, but it's hind leg was scorched, as Babe slammed into it.

"Tackle! She called." The Lilipup wheeled around, and slammed into Babe, who was knocked to the ground. Babe stood back up "Awe hun, I'm sure you can do MUCH better then that."
The Lilipup growled. "Again, Babe." Babe lit herself on fire, and one again, tackled the Lilipup. The Lilipup was defeated after that hit. "Good!" I said, to both the Trainer Trainee,
and Babe. I opened my mouth to give the trainer some tips, when I heard Cheren call behind me "Hey, I'm back." I looked over my shoulder at him as he approached, and walked over to the tall platform across the room.

"I wish we could battle with our old pokemon like old times, but I'm guessing they didn't survive The 'Locke's attack?" I shook my head. "They're in Alola. On vacation." He nodded "Oooh right." I walked over to him, the Trainer Trainees following to watch, and see what they could learn. And after I healed her, I sent Babe out, and Cheren sent out a Patrat.
He adjusted his glasses "OK, so, let's get to this." "Babe! Flame Charge!" She charged forward, and Slammed into the patrat, The patrat was thrown back, and slammed against Cheren's leg, from where he stood on the platfrom. The Patrat shakily stood again, and leapt down. "Tackle." Cheren ordered. The Patrat leapt forward, but Babe slipped out of the way just in time.

"Flame Charge." I ordered once again. Babe used Flame charge once more, and when it hit it's mark, the Patrat was defeated.

Cheren sent out a Lilipup.

"Work up!" He called. The Lilipup howled, and I could tell it's attack, and special attack stats were upped.

"Ok, Flame Charge." Babe leapt forward and slammed into the Lilipup. It did a little under half the Lilipup's health, as it skidded across the sandy ground. "Tackle." Cheren pointed towards Babe. The Lilipup tackled Babe to the ground, doing a surprising amount of damage to her. "Flame charge again!" Babe lit herself on fire, and when the Lilipup leapt back because of the flames, she tackled it. Leaving the Lilipup with minimal health. "Tackle!" The puppy pokemon once again used the move, and brought Babe to very low health. "how is it doing so much damage?!" Chase then called his Lilipup back, and used a Potion on it.

I tensed up. "Oh nooo!!" "Flame Charge! Quickly!" Babe panted breathless "I don't know how much longer I can keep doin' this!" "Just keep going!' Babe used the firey move,
and... Didn't do nearly as much damage.

"Ok, ok.. Let me heal you, and then we can take this thing down." I sprayed her with a potion, which brought her almost to full health. "Tackle!" Chase called. The Lilipup leapt off the platform, and onto Babe, doing quite allot of damage. "Oh gosh. She's not going to be able to do this! And I don't know if Poppyseed can handle it!" "B-Babe..." Babe shoved the Lilipup off her, and looked over at me. "I got this." She comforted. Then, without my command, she used Flame Charge, slamming the Lilipup into the metal poles of the platform Cheren was standing on CRITICAL HIT The Lilipup was down "You win!" Cheren said happily, trotting down the stairs of the platform. He then handed me the Basic Badge.
"Here, you've earned it. Man, I am SO glad to see you again!" He hugged me once more,
and I laughed, returning the hug. Then pulling away, I said "Yeah, I've missed you to." He laughed. "Come on, I'll walk you out." I nodded, and together, we walked out of the gym.

Bianca approached us as we walked out. "CHEREN!! LOOK" She squealed, running over, grabbing my arm, and shoving me towards Cheren. "SHE'S OK! I knew she was, I KNEW IT!" We both burst out laughing, causing mass confusion for our friend. I then held up the Basic Badge. "O-Oh! You already knew... hah.. Well I said she was ok! Nothing could take down our Sarah." I smiled. "Thanks Bianca." I wrapped my arm around her, and squeezed her in a half hug of sorts.

"It's so cool to have the three of us together again." She squealed. "Hey!" Cheren suggested "We should register each other in our phones so we can talk to each other whenever, and maybe meet up sometimes." I nodded, and all three of us registered each other.

Then we all three got a call at the same time. My eyes grew wide, well this was unique!

Pulling out the phone, and answering it, I saw the screen devide into four little sections, each showed the face of the person who was a part of the call. "It's like four way Face Time!" I laughed to myself, looking down, and examining the faces of the people who were a part of the call. Cheren, Bianca, myself, and "Oh! Professor Juniper! Hello!" Her eyes grew wided, and she gasped, putting a hand to her mouth, and moments later having to wipe tears out of her eyes. "Oh Sarah! I had heard that someone with your name had gotten a pokedex from Bianca, and... I thought... I thought it was too good to be true!" I smiled, still unsure how to feel, or respond. "I'm so sorry to have worried you so much. But I'm fine." "The 'Locke had sent her from her time two years ago to here." Cheren explained, which got a collective gasp from both  Bianca and Professor Juniper.

"I still think Alder is in denial." I remarked offhandedly to my friends. "He kept telling me not to impersonate 'her' and be who I really am." Juniper gave a broken chuckle, and wiped more tears from her eyes. "Ahh, Alder. It'll take him a while to realize that it really is you. After he lost his pokemon, and after what happened to Katie and everything."

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a bolt of fear (that I quickly shoved away) shoot through me. "What happened to Katie?" Bianca looked off to the side, Cheren looked down, and Professor Juniper ran her hand awkwardly through her hair. "Sh-she's fine, you know. But.. I shouldn't say more. You should be focusing on your journey, especially with the 'Locke out there. I will send out a world wide warning. Hopefully it'll save pokemons lives." I nodded, trying very hard, and quite failing, to put my friend out of my mind. "That would be great, thank you." Juniper looked over her shoulder at something quickly, then looked back. "Ok, I have to go, but I'll hopefully see you three later, alright?" We all nodded, and hung up. I sighed. "I'm still so guilty... That everyone thinks I'm dead." Cheren walked over, and put a hand on my shoulder.

"I'm just glad that you actually aren't." I smiled at him. "Thanks." Bianca reached into her bag, and pulled out a TM disk case, and offered it to me. "Here, it's TM Return. I thought it'd be useful to you." "Thanks." I replied happily, taking it. She chuckled. "Well, the next gym is in Virbank City. You need to defeat all the gyms, and beat the champion to get the 'Locke to leave the region, right?" I nodded. "OK, so you'll be heading to Virbank then." I nodded once again. "Well, I guess I'll see you around." "Yeah. Bye guys, and thanks for everything!" Both nodded, and Cheren waved, then I turned and left. As I was leaving, I heard Hugh's familiar voice as he dramatically called to Cheren that he'd like to challange the gym. I laughed to myself. "welcome to the life of working in the league, Cheren." I sped up my pace, however, so I could try to avoid battling Hugh myself.

The whole time I was going through the intro, and stuff with Hugh, I had a feeling my starter would be a girl. But I was still really surprised to learn Babe was a girl xD And it took FOREVER to come up with her name.
Eventually Stealth suggested Babe after the Movie xD

You know, I always imagined Babe sounding like Apple Jack from MLP. And as for Poppyseed, she's a bit of a dip, and actually doesn't speak. The emotes are her reactions to whatever's being said around her. (Most of it she doesn't actually understand xD) And I've kind of fallen in love with Rascal. The unique design I gave her really makes her feel more special. I should draw her sometime xD

As for Ripple, she's a bit of a Nervous-Nelly. Never really certain of her thoughts, or ideas.

But I'm really struggling to play out rascal's personality, and it's kind of annoying xD She's so unique in my head, and I just can't portray it.

OH GOSH O-O BOTH RIPPLE AND RASCAL

I actually really miss Rascal. As I said before, I had grown to love her :P And I always imagined her falling into a one sided love with Twitchy. (who only has eyes for Shalom xD)

I hadn't really grown attached to Ripple yet though. But I never got to reveal who her sister was. :P

(BTW her sister was Splash, the Azurill I got at, and who died at the same level as Ripple in my X Nuzlocke.[What follows a Splash? A Ripple] But it probably wouldn't have been a very big reveal anyway, considering no one really knew Splash :P But oh well.

BUT yeah, it was super painful, (and slightly embarrassing) loosing 2 pokemon so close to each other. Oh well.
I'm ready to face the gym now :'D

I know that know you understand the reason behind Alder's attitude, Bianca's reaction to seeing me back at Aspertia City was a little lacking. My excuse is that she's always really happy,
no matter the situation. And she also never really believed that I was dead. But the real reason is when I was writing talking to Bianca the first time, I hadn't quite decided if they should think I was dead or not, it was a fresh idea that had just come to me, but by the time I got to Alder, I had decided on it. Actually the idea began with wanting him to have a reason to be really.... Broody... And not believe that I was who I said I was. So yeah :D Also the reason for the slight atmosphere of grief around 'The trainer from 2 years ago' that was kinda there in the games.