Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 3:06:02 GMT -8
"Well..." Akina smiled nervously. "The money was just luck indeed, but I might know something about these two Pokéballs. In fact, I have been told you would get them."
Sofia looked at her, confused. "I...would get them?"
"I have been at the shrine", the Vulpix admitted. "Since Lacuna had been a gift from your friend and not the legendary Pokémon and since they help those in need sometimes, I figured it was worth a try. So I told them about how we are stuck with nothing and how we could do with some help."
"Ah, so the legendary Pokémon granted us some Pokéballs to increase our chances at a battle victory by making us able to catch a few more Pokémon of different types." Lacuna nodded. "That was kind of them."
"They did that for us? Was there a really nice god, definitely male? He was the one I talked to before. He's black and purple!" Sofia still couldn't really believe that Akina had done that. Lacuna had told her before that the legendary Pokémon didn't like to be bothered often, after all, and she had just been there. So Akina, not native to this world, had taken it upon herself to try and help her? Sofia petted Akina's head. "Thank you, Akina. That was really nice of you to do. After all, we only know each other since a few hours."
"I really wanted to help", Akina smiled. "And I haven't seen a legendary Pokémon, but I don't think the one that talked to me was the same one you met. However...the two Pokéballs were just an additional gift I hadn't even asked for. The legendary Pokémon was really generous. The main gift we got is on my back." She lowered her wings a bit so that Sofia could see the Pokéball there.
"Oh! How beautiful!" She took the ball. "That's an amazing looking one! What nice ornaments!"
"It's a Luxury Ball. It's a bit of a rare ball. Also, it is the ball Pokémon get when they are granted presents from the legendary Pokémon, or so I've heard." Lacuna looked at Akina. "So our wish was fully granted in addition to these extra balls? How wonderful!"
"Wait, there's a Pokémon inside!?" Sofia looked from Lacuna to Akina and back. She had obviously missed quite a bit here.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 5:03:07 GMT -8
"Yes, there is. But before I tell you a bit about that, uhm...it's about the two Pokéballs you were granted." Akina shyly looked up to Sofia. "The legendary Pokémon said that you can use one of them like you want to. The other one...is for me."
For a second, Sofia was confused - what could Akina want with a Pokéball - until the realization set it. "Y-you mean...to capture you? So that you become my Pokémon?"
"Yes." Akina nodded. "Exactly."
"Do you want to do that?" Lacuna asked. It seemed strange to him that the legendary Pokémon would just decide something like that.
"I actually do." Akina smiled. "Travelling with you two has been fun so far and I like you quite a bit. I've been rather alone all my life. And I really liked what Sofia had said about family and what you said about Pokémon thinking about trainers as family and I would love to try that. I can see this world with you guys just as good as I could alone and I want to help Sofia to get home."
"Akina..." Sofia had to blink a few tears away. The Vulpix had shown her nothing but true kindness so far. "I...I would really like that." The first few hours in this world had been really terrible and full of screaming and anger and despair, but she had also found so much help in one day, too. It made this world full of fighting seem quite a bit more bright and Sofia felt far less lost. She picked Akina up and hugged her. "Thank you so much!"
"We'll be a good team." Akina licked Sofia's face and then nudged one of the Pokéballs. "Come on!"
Sofia paused. "I...have to throw it at you, right?" She didn't want to hurt Akina at all.
"I think it's enough if I push that button myself. Just put the ball down." Akina jumped from Sofia's lap and waited until the girl had placed the ball on the ground. Then she walked up to it, hesitated for just one more second and then pushed the button. She disappeared in red light and the ball shook a few times. Sofia watched this rather fascinated and also a bit worried. Finally, the shaking stopped and the button came back out.
"Good. She's caught now. You can call her back out like you did with me", Lacuna said when Sofia was a bit too scared to even touch the ball.
"Alright." She picked up the ball again and threw it like she had done with Lacuna's ball before.
Akina appeared again. "This is quite interesting! It's pretty nice inside!" The Vulpix seemed quite happy. "I think this will work nicely."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:21:27 GMT -8
Sofia petted her head. "I'm so glad!" She smiled when Akina nuzzled her.
"I am, too. It'll be nice to have you around, Akina." Lacuna was obviously quite delighted, too, to have the Vulpix as an addition to the team. "I have not expected that this group would grow so quickly."
"That's true." Akina nudged the Luxury Ball. "Now let's tell Sofia about this girl in here. It's probably best if we do that because she calls her out."
"True." Lacuna nodded. "In there is a Pokémon called Petilil. All Petilils are female. They are grass Pokémon - a type effective against water - , so she will cover our type weakness and make it far more likely that we will win a battle."
"But there's more. There are reasons why I asked specifically for a Petilil. Well, it actually was Lacuna's idea more than mine, since I don't know much about them." Akina looked at Lacuna. "You can probably explain it all better."
"Very well. I told you about evolution before. As Petilils, these Pokémon are rather cute, but otherwise pretty plain. However, when they evolve, they become a Pokémon called Lillygant. Lillygants are really popular with celebrities and nobles, so I figured you would probably enjoy one."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:23:12 GMT -8
"With nobles?" Sofia beamed. "That sounds great!" She, who had appeared with nothing in this world, clearly needed something that would tell others of her status. "What makes them so popular?"
"Well, they are very beautiful, but also need a lot of care. They have a big, red flower on their head, but it's not easy to get it to bloom. It seems that challenge and their beauty are what attracts richer people to them. To show off." Lacuna grew a bit more concerned, suddenly not so sure about his idea anymore. Was it really smart to give Sofia a Pokémon that she would just see as a status symbol? No Pokémon deserved that. He only hoped that Sofia would grow a bond with the Petilil, since it would be probably some time before they would be able to evolve it. "Petilils evolve with the help of a special stone, a Sun Stone. They are quite rare. We will probably have to look around a lot to find one."
Sofia nodded very eagerly. "I'm sure we'll find one! This sounds really good!" She wondered if there was a reason why Akina hadn't asked for a Lillygant to begin with, though. Maybe the gods didn't grant evolved Pokémon? "I can't wait to see her now!"
"Call her out, then." Akina looked vaguely troubled, too. But she had trust in Sofia. Petilils were rather plain, but Sofia would still like her new Pokémon, even unevolved...right?
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:25:53 GMT -8
" Very well!" Sofia threw her new Luxury Ball and the Petilil appeared. She was, however, still sleeping, just as Akina had seen her at the shrine. Sofia got closer to see better, not noticing the looks her Pokémon gave her. " Oh!" The little Pokémon really wasn't as graceful as Lacuna or as shining as Akina, but in her own way...she was really cute. " Adorable! Like a little, round ball!" True, there was the need for far more colors and glamour, but if that problem would be solved with evolution, Sofia was quite happy. The Petilil was stirring now. Lacuna and Akina, both quite relieved, got closer as well. " Hm." Lacuna squinted a bit. " Is it just me or are her colors a bit unusual? It's really subtle, but... she seems to have a different shade of green than the normal Petilils. It's paler." " I wouldn't know." Akina shook her head. " I never saw one before." Sofia looked at Lacuna. " Do you mean she's special? Like you?" This kept getting better! " I don't think she's unique like me, but she might be a shiny. They're normal Pokémon, but have different colors. All shinies of a species look the same, but they are really, really rare to begin with." Lacuna wondered what had possessed the legendary Pokémon to give Sofia a shiny. She would appreciate it, sure, but probably not in a really good way. Maybe it was a test? " Amazing! This is so wonderful!" Sofia was absolutely delighted. She had three really special Pokémon now! For someone being in this world for only one day, that seemed like a really good thing to her. Given her shortage of money, food and almost everything else, this was clearly a great consolation.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:27:46 GMT -8
The Petilil woke up. She got up and looked around and, suddenly seeing a human and two Pokémon staring at her, squeaked in surprise and fright and jumped back.
"Don't be scared! Hello!" Sofia got up and curtsied before she knelt down again. "Everything's alright."
"Where am I?" The Petilil looked around, not recognizing her surroundings. "What happened? This is not where I live!"
Sofia's eyes went wide. The legendary Pokémon had granted her another Pokémon...by abducing it?! What was it with them and abduction?! Was this everyday practice? "Where are you from?" she asked slowly.
"This is a region called Trilotics." Lacuna was a bit troubled, too. Sofia wouldn't really like the legendary Pokémon more if this kept up. "Are you not from around here? The legendary Pokémon have brought you here."
"No, I am from Trilotics. I live in a park, though, and not in a forest... Why would the legendary Pokémon bring me here?" The Petilil couldn't recall having ever dealt with a legendary Pokémon or angering it.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:29:34 GMT -8
Sofia held out the Luxury Ball. "They gave you to me as my Pokémon. I'm so sorry if they abducted you! That's horrible! That's not what I wanted! Believe me, I know what I'm talking about! I was abducted as well and--"
It appeared as if the Petilil hadn't heard more than half of Sofia's words. The second Sofia had mentioned that she was her trainer now, the little Pokémon gave a squeal of horror and just stared at the girl.
Sofia paused, being startled and stunned. "Don't...you want to be my Pokémon?" This was new. From what she had gathered, she had thought Pokémon liked to have trainers.
"No...no..." The Petilil shook her head frantically. "Never..."
Sofia looked helplessly at Akina and Lacuna, but the two seemed equally startled and clueless. Her opinion about the legendary Pokémon, which had gotten much better, started to crumble again. Why abducting a Pokémon and giving it to her if it didn't even want a trainer? "Alright..." The Petilil was probably as lost and scared as she had been. Sofia recalled how horribly she had felt treated by Maevia and decided to do it much better. "This is a really difficult situation then. Listen, little one, we're on our way to the next town. Maybe someone there knows where your park is. We'll ask around there and then figure out what to do, alright? The gods captured you for me already, so things are kinda like they are right now." She didn't really want to give up on the Petilil, but if it really didn't want to...
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:31:42 GMT -8
"The balls can be smashed to pieces..." There was a certain sadness in the words of the Petilil. "But very well. I'll come with you to the town. I don't want to be left here..."
"Okay." Sofia nodded, running a hand through her hair. "Let's...just move on before it gets dark, then."
"I'll walk. Then you can carry our newest addition on your lap while riding", Akina offered.
"Good idea. But tell me if you get too exhausted." Sofia gave Akina a small smile before turning towards the Petilil. "Come here, yes? We'll ride, then you don't have to walk." Could it even walk? Sofia couldn't see any legs. The Petilil still seemed scared, but slowly came closer and allowed Sofia to pick her up. Lacuna knelt down so Sofia could get up and the little group continued on.
For quite some time, they all were silent. Sofia held onto her newest Pokémon. She really wanted to get her to talk, but wasn't sure what to say. "Do you have a name?" she finally asked. "It would be rude to just call you 'Petilil', after all."
"Yes... No..." The Petilil slowly shook her head.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:33:33 GMT -8
Sofia blinked. "Yes or no?"
"I have been given a name before, but I...don't like anymore." The Petilil didn't seem to want to talk at all and also kept staring at Lacuna's back instead of looking up to Sofia.
"You have been given a name?" Sofia echoed. "So people who aren't trainers give Pokémon names, too?"
"..." The Petilil remained silent.
Sofia didn't really know what to do and looked to Akina. "I have given myself my name", the Vulpix said to keep the conversation going.
"Ah." Sofia nodded. "Well, Petilil, do you want me to give you a new name then?" she offered.
"I...don't know..." came the slow answer.
Sofia sighed. This was a bit difficult. "Well, let's see if I can think of something you like. I wonder if I can find anything. I mean, you're really cute now, but if you evolve, you'll be really big and pretty, right? We need a name that fits both then."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:34:56 GMT -8
The Petilil flinched so violently she almost fell from Sofia's lap. The surprised girl quickly tightened her hold "No...no. Call me 'Petilil'..."
"But..." Sofia shook her head. "Alright, let's keep it at that for now." Something was wrong with the little Pokémon and Sofia had no idea what. Maybe it was just in shock from the abduction. It was probably better to give it some time. She grimaced. She herself was still a bit of a nervous wreck thanks to all that happened this day, so she didn't feel really able to deal with this right now. Maybe she should just try to reassure the Petilil that she was in good company. "You know, I've been abducted today, too", she started slowly. "Why don't I tell you a bit about myself? I probably wouldn't want to be the Pokémon of someone I don't know anything about, either."
And so, Sofia started talking again, telling about herself and a bit about her world. The Petilil remained silent the whole time, still not looking up. When Sofia finished, she still gave no reaction.
"Uh, Sofia?" Akina looked quite troubled. "I think something's wrong..."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:36:51 GMT -8
To Sofia, things were very wrong since she had called the Petilil out, but then she figured out what Akina meant. The Petilil was shaking and trembling. "What's wrong?" She gently turned the little Pokémon around and froze in the middle of her movement. There was a look of absolute terror and fear in the eyes of the Petilil. "Hey..."
"Why...a noble...?" the Petilil whispered. "Again... Why would the legendary Pokémon do that to me?"
"'Again'? What do you mean?" Did the Petilil have a problem with nobles?
The little Pokémon shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I...don't feel good. Can I go into the Pokéball...?"
"Alright. We'll call you out in the town again." Sofia had a bit of problems, not having done this before, but she remembered Kage doing it to Nyla and Vexsis and managed to recall the Petilil before looking around. "What's wrong with her? Did I say something wrong?"
Akina shook her head. "I have no idea."
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 6:38:41 GMT -8
" There is a story behind this, I'm sure of it." Lacuna kept walking. " If she has been named before, maybe she had a trainer once and things went badly. She's probably in shock right now. Let's go to the town, find a place for the night and then let's try talking to her again. The legendary Pokémon wouldn't have given her to you without a reason, so we shouldn't just give up." " Sounds good." Sofia figured that once her worries how to spend the night would have vanished and she had gotten something to eat, she would be far more ready to tackle this problem. At least she had something that kept her from thinking about her own situation now. " Akina, want to come up again?" " Sure!" Akina waited until Lacuna had knelt down, then she jumped onto Sofia's lap again. Enjoying how Sofia started petting her fur at once, Akina got comfortable. " It hopefully isn't that far anymore. Let's hope we'll get there without any more surprises now." " Absolutely." It was already afternoon and Sofia wanted to be there before dark. " Let's hurry on." " Very well." Lacuna started walking a bit faster, making his way further through the forest. (Note to self: Post Nr. 42)
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Post by Taya on Jun 15, 2011 15:12:21 GMT -8
Not all the far ahead on the path that Lacuna walked, a rustling could be heard. While Sofia could only hear that, both of the Pokemon, with their more sensitive hearing, were likely to also pick up a the shuffling of feet. As they grew closer, there was a very loud thump noise and a tree began to shake. This was followed, yet again, but another noise. An almost squeaky growl broke out presumably, from whatever had crashed into the tree.
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Sheba
Seasoned Trainer
Posts: 323
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Post by Sheba on Jun 15, 2011 15:31:40 GMT -8
"Eee! What was that!?" Sofia had heard and immediately started to look around.
"Someone's there." Lacuna stopped. "Should we check it out?"
"Are you crazy? That didn't sound like a human! Probably a wild Pokémon that will attack us! Let's sneak past it!"
"I don't think that's possible anymore, Sofia. You were too loud for that", Akina remarked. "And maybe, someone needs our help there. We still have time until the sun sets and I don't think the town is far away anymore, so we should have a look?"
Sofia shook her head, but Lacuna and Akina - and she, since she was sitting on Lacuna's back - were already walking towards the noise. Wasn't she the trainer? Shouldn't her Pokémon obey her? "Ee! No!"
"You need to learn how this world works. If it's a wild Pokémon wanting to attack, we will fight." Lacuna wanted to expose Sofia to trainer life. "Hello?" he called out. "Is someone there?"
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Post by Taya on Jun 17, 2011 11:09:14 GMT -8
As the small group closed on on the location of the noise, there was another set of growls. This time, it appeared to be coming from two different sources. However, one of the two sources bolted away once Lacuna had spoken out. Instantly after one fled, from the brush, an almost raccoon-like Pokemon darted. It stopped in their path, blinking up at the odd trio with its brown eyes. Though it may have been interested in a battle previously, this Pokemon was actually panting as it was. It seemed to be tired already.
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