Tales of Pokémon! [IC]

OOC thread.

http://i47.tinypic.com/epnh3c.png

"Attention all pokémon league trainers!"

The cold voice echoed through the room as a rather tall man, apparently in his mid twenties, waved the fairly large group of trainers over. He was well dressed, in a full tuxedo, formal shoes and his white tie standing out in the mass of black fabric. As the group's attention was redirected to him, a large door opened in the side of the building everyone was at currently, revealing a rather simple town outside - though there was a harbor which was fairly big. The man fixed his tie as he stepped outside, pointing his hand towards the harbor. "That harbor is called the Universal Harbor. It's not really universal... However, it can take you anywhere in this continent, from Kanto to Unova." With a smirk, he starts walking outside, pointing at the path which led to the exit of the town - the town was actually closed, with guards standing in the entrance in order to keep criminals away from it. "And that's the exit of the town, where the majority of you should head, unless you're planning to take a different - or unique route towards success. The first town you will arrive is Celadon. In there, you can take the Train Station to anywhere as well, but the Gym challenge is something you shouldn't miss. All Gym Leaders are registered in the pokémon league, and you must make sure your pokédex is with you when you challenge a Leader for the Gym Challenge. Ya'll paying attention, kids? This is important stuff." The man releases a powerful chuckle, perhaps far too needlessly powerful.

Fixing his tie once again, he extends his arm as a woman walks to his side, wrapping it around her shoulder. The woman looks at him, then towards the various, nodding her head over a few times. "The Pokémon League is glad that you're all part of it! We wish the best of luck in your journey. From now on, you're all by yourselves... Unless you've decided to travel with someone, that is, then you will have the nice company of another younger trainer during all your journey!" The woman giggles, moving to the side as the man moves to the opposite one, both of them extending their arm in direction of the exit at the same time, the doors opening. It looks like they've done that thousands of times. "I'm Selia Lanhert, president of the Pokémon League!" She exclaims, grinning broadly while meanwhile, the man clears his throat in preparation. "And I'm Dan Lanhert, a Pokémon Champion!"

"And we both welcome you to the Pokémon League!"

"And remember kids, friendship and rivalry is both encouraged! Both makes you thrive for success in the long journey you lot is about to take. Good luck!" And as the man says that, he steps aside, allowing the focus to fall on the female. "There's dangers outside, but theres also excitement, fun and much more! You can even find the love of your life there~ Good luck, trainers!" The woman speaks while happily waving over at the trainers, and steps away right after, both her - and the man who was apparently her husband - makes their way out elsewhere, leaving the trainers to themselves. Some trainers are already making their way outside, while others are pondering what route to take. Theres even some confident trainers waiting at the harbor in order to take the different route (And mind, due to how the regions merged together into one, only small riverways exist between each region, which makes traveling by boat extremely quickly) and of course, some others are already picking up their friends, or arguing with their rival. It's now a matter of time until they find their life's greatest experiences.

After Henry was done listening to the pep talk from the people telling them about the Pokémon league and that they encouraged you to get yourself some friend or people to travel with. Henry did not feel an urge to have other with him on this journey. He and his Pokémon would be more than enough for him. This did not stop people from asking if he wanted to travel with him however. He tried to be nice to them and tell them to go somewhere else and leave him alone; he was really living up to his nickname the cold one. Henry did not know where he wanted to travel and did the only smart thing to do when you don’t have a single clue. Find a big map, close his eyes and just point somewhere.

His Snorunt had that annoying habit to jump out of its pokeball if it felt Henry did not spend enough time with it and that meant every single moment of each day. It really did not bother Henry all that much, it would just be nice to have some control over the little girl. She simply would not listen to Henry when she was commanded back into her ball and well this would turn out to be one of those moments. “Okay Tiny you can stay out here” Henry said with a sigh.

Henry found a big map and it was first time to pick a region. He closed his eyes and his finger landed on Johto and Route 45. Form his very limited knowledge of this place he felt a bit existed. Before he even got down to the harbor to get his boat he was almost attacked by some girl that was so pumped for going on a journey she knocked him down. She then went on to tell Henry how he was to blame for this. Henry could feel rage building up inside him, but tried to just walk away from her and not bother. This girl however did not want Henry to get of that easy. “Say you are sorry” she said in a very bitchy tone. That was when Henry just snapped. “You know that since you can’t keep your hyperactive body under control maybe you should say you are sorry for running me down. You know that the person that was walking normally can’t possibly knock a person over” Henry said as he looked right into the girl’s eyes. “I can’t understand how a grown person can be so stupid” Henry walked away, but then heard the girl yell. “Battle me you brat” Henry did not waist time and just put down his backpack. If this girl wanted a battle she was sure as hell going to get one.

Arthur carefully listened to the speech of both professors, before trying to find Richard amongst the mob of enthousiastic teenagers. Once they found eachother Arthur checked his backpack for everything he had packed, forgotten, anything. Content he closed it again, and let Krabby out of his pokeball. The crab quickly scaled him, and positioned itself at his shoulder and neck. He liked having the comfortable weight of the pokemon at his shoulder, and loved feeling the awkward feeling of the 4 limbs of the crab scale his body. Most persons would freak out because of it, but he liked it, probably because he was used to it.

Katherine Jean Allum

Katherine couldn’t wait to get out of that room. It was hot, stuffy and much too crowded for her likings. Although, she did listen the best she could to the two champions and the professor despite all of this. Kathy turned to peer at Vivie, who was perched comfortable on her shoulder. “Excited huh?” Kathy asked her beloved Vulpix. Vivie looked at her trainer in the eyes.

“Vul, Vulpix!” Vivie nodded her head.

“Me too!” Katherine answered, looking back up to the two people in front of her.

Once the two champions had finished up, Katherine’s first plan of action was the get the hell out of that room. As the doors flung open, Katherine was one of the first out. “Yes! Fresh air! Finally!” Katherine called out cheerfully. With the light breeze blowing in her ginger hair, she took a moment to look around her. She never got to see how beautiful the place was when she had arrived because she was much too busy trying not to be late. Spotting a nice grassy plain away from the main building, she took the liberty to take a seat away from all the busyness. Kathy took off her bags and placed then beside her as she took a seat.

“Oh my!” Kathy said, suddenly remembering something. “We never did have breakfast, did we? You must be so hungry!” Vivie nodded as she jumped down from the girl’s shoulder. Grabbing her bag, she shoved her hand in, pulling out a bag of freshly baked poffins. “How do you feel about having some poffins, aye? Baked just this morning for you.” Kathy offered the Vulpix the poffins that were in her hand. Without a moment’s hesitation, the poffins were gone in no time flat. “Geez, Vivie, I guess you must like my poffins do you? You really do enjoy that recipe. Don’t worry though, I’ll be sure to make some more soon, just as long as I can get to some nice berries and a fire. A kitchen would be nice, perhaps.” She shuffled her hands behind her as she looked up towards the sky with Vivie in her lap. “I just can’t believe our journey is beginning, we have waited for this moment for such a long time, haven’t we Vivie?” The Vulpix nodded in agreement with her trainer. “But were to begin?” Katherine looked down at Vivie in thought. She had been planning out her journey for such a long time now, and yet she hadn’t really thought about which region she should start off in. “Hmm…”

Anhs boots collided with the heavy metal floors of the base. Several banners hung from the walls to both sides, placed perfectly symetrical. On it it said ''Team Mars'' with red lettering. There wasn't much else to look at except the large wooden doors that clashed with the metal walls and floor. And the banners ofcourse. Slowly he got closer to the door and slowly his heart started pounding more and more heavily. Once he reached it he took a minute or so to calm down again before knocking on the doors. “Enter, please.” Anh grabbed the heavy door and swung it open towards the inside.

In front of him a large man sat in a chair, however his face remained unseen. He was partially turned around, revealing only a small portion of his side and the meowth on his lap that he was petting. “Anh, I have some information that might interest you.” Anh stood still and didn't answer as the man continued with a deep voice. “We've received info from some informants that.. it.. has begun.” Anh immediatly realised what he meant and nodded, unsure if the man would even notice. “And Anh.. take care.” Was this.. a hint of care for his subordinates? Anh was surprised by this as the man was usually quite cold, only ever content when he got new stolen pokémon. “Don't compromise the organisation.” Or maybe it wasn't him caring about Anh.. it was caring for the organisation.

“Yes, sir!” Anh saluted the man as if he were in the army and walked back outside. As he closed the door as soft as he could he heard Meowth purring. He sighed and sat down against the wall for a second, his face buried in his hands. “I guess this is it.” He removed his hands from his face and smiled as he stood up. He looked towards the end of the hall and started walking towards it. Once he arrived, after five minutes of walking or so, he pressed a button and within a few seconds the elevator buzzed down. Pling! Welcome to Team Mars headquarters. Press butto- “Shut up, machine.” He pressed on the ''0'' button and the elevator started buzzing again before sending Anh back up.

Topside he walked outside of the headquarters and looked around. The area here was quite mountainous. It was quite close to Celadon, which was probably where Anh would have to head first. It was the first location for most new trainers in the Pokémon league and they would be perfect for whatever the boss had in mind. He made sure to click on a button on his earpiece so that the boss could contact him whenever it would please him - that little torturer.

Katherine (Ginger Collie)

Richard (Gerontis)

Arthur (Roran)

The Team is getting together.
Trouble is waiting for everybody!

''No no no! Come back here, you little...''

Richard ran after something little that was causing much chaos and unrest in the room. The little thing that he was chasing was nobody less then Scratch, his own Totodile, who was running around with much glee on his face, almost enjoying the chaos and trouble he was making. Richard narrowed his eyes as he reached out his arms to grab the troublemaker, but suddenly the quirky pokemon made a sharp right turn and evaded the grabbing hands of Richard.

It started to zig zag and Richard was on the edge of giving up. Suddenly the Totodile caught the smell of something and started to bounce, a bad sign in the eyes of the young man. ''Oh no..Scratch! Come back here!''[ But ignoring the command of his trainer, Scratch suddenly ran towards the scent. Richard said sorry to those who were troubled and sighed. What a way to start of his journey! He didn't even found his best friend, Arthur yet! He could use the help of Arthur at the moment or maybe by some luck, Scratch had smelled the scent of Krabby, Arthur's pokemon, and was following it.

But instead it ran of to a girl with a vulpix. Richard already feared the worst as the Totodile neared his target but suddenly stopped and stood still, staring with big eyes at the girl and the vulpix. Richard was worried it could start to jump and bite the Vulpix at any moment, but Scratch just stood...and stared at it. He quickly grabbed the Totodile and tried to say sorry. ''I am so sorry...He is just a little troublemaker, hope he hasn't been bothering you.'' He smiled, because his scarf wasn't covering the lower part of his face, like it did most of the time. ''If he did troubled you, is there any way how I can make it up with you? The name is Richard.'' He said with a friendly tone in his voice, while he introduced himself to the girl.

Katherine let the sunshine soak into her skin as she pondered about where to start first. "What about Kanto? Wait, maybe Hoen? No, Sinnoh?" Katherine sighed as she sunk her head down trying to make a decision. Suddenly, the noise of shouting filled her ears as she stared up to see a Totodile running straight at her. Kathy turned around, hoping that the Pokemon was running at someone else. But no, she was the only one there and that Totodile was running at her. In the shock, Kathy just stared at it as it came closer and closer. Was she doing something wrong? What did it want from her? Panic filled Kathy as the Totodile got dangerously close. Just as she thought it was going to tackle her, it just stopped dead in it's tracks. "Huh?" Katherine gazed into the cute Pokemon's big black eyes. For a Pokemon that was about to go for her, it was so damn cute. Kathy looked up to see a boy pick up the Totodile. As the boy introduced himself, Katherine couldn't help but smile.

"Nah, no troubles, a little surprised that's all. I guess your a fan of my poffins as well, are you?" Katherine asked looking at the Totodile in the boys arms. Katherine lifted her bag up and grabbed one of the poffins left over. She then offered it to the Totodile. "You have a lovely little Pokemon there, Richard. The names Katherine, and this here is Vivie." Kathy pointed to her Vulpix that had just jumped onto her shoulder. "It's very pleasant to meet you, are you a new trainer too?''

Scratch grunted and tried to break free, but Richard sighed and could handle him. He was glad that the girl wasn't bothered by Scratch and even gave him a little snack. While Scratch suddenly became silent and started to slowly munch on it, Richard put him down on the ground, right in front of his feet. Then he rose up and smiled back, while rubbing his neck with his right hand. ''Thanks..He is great, but a real troublemaker..And pleasure to meet you too, Katherine..And Vivie.'' He nodded to the Vulpix. ''Yeah, I am new too, though I have been for quite some time now with Scratch...My Totodile. Actually, I am looking for my best friend, Arthur...Heh, he and I are going to travel together..What about you?'' He asked curiously. ''Are you a new trainer as well? And with who are you going to travel with?''

Katherine stroked Vivie's head as she smiled at the boy. "Yeah, I'm new to but I've also been with Vivie for quite some time now, we go way back. And I don't really have anyone to travel with at the moment. Maybe I'll get lucky and some poor sod will put up with me! '' Katherine giggled at the thought. "What region are you starting off in then? ''

Richard chuckled. ''You could travel with me and Arthur...I am bad at cooking, so you shouldn't ask me for dinner...But I think Arthur wouldn't mind somebody to travel with us. Besides, travelling alone isn't fun when you can tag with us, right?'' He smiled. ''To be honest, I don't have a idea. I was thinking about that region with the name that starts with a J...I am bad at names. But frankly,'' He shrugged. [/b]'', I am fine with everything as long I can be travelling with Arthur or anybody who is fun. So,''[/b] He glanced at her while a grin crept on his lips. [/b]'', If you want, you can tag with us...I am pretty sure Arthur wouldn't mind and even worse..He would want to make a drawing of you...He likes to draw.''[/b]

Katherine was a little surprised when Richard offered her to tag along with them. "Yeah, that would be great, thanks! You don't have a clue what you have just signed yourself up for, trust me! '' Kathy laughed, as she turned to look at Vivie."So Vivie, what do you say, should we tag along with Richard and his friend? '' The Vulpix nodded sweetly. "Well you have it! You and your poor friend have me to get along with now. '' Turning back to look at the boy, she said, "and just as luck should have it, I'm a pretty good little cook if I shouldn't say so myself, if you want to leave the cooking to me." She smiled as he told her that his friend was good at drawing. "Really, I want to meet your friend! I love drawing, and taking photos, it's just my kind of thing. So where is your little friend?

Richard chuckled when she said that he had no clue what he just signed himself up for. ''You can't be that worse..You look too nice for that! And besides, you can't be worse than Scratch..I hope.'' He looked back at his Totodile who still was throwing looks at Katherine and her Vulpix, Vivie. ''And you are a good cook? Then you just made my day..Hehehe, think I would need to do the dishes, right? I won't mind it.'' He threw a glance around him to see if he could caught a glimpse of his best friend and then turned his gaze back to Katherine, glad she wanted to meet with Arthur when she was told that he loved to draw. ''So you love to draw as well? Heheh, then I am travelling with two artists, lucky me..But to be honest.'' He smiled as he scratched the back of his head with his right hand and looked around. ''I have no idea where Arthur is...Normally we can easily track each other down, but it is just so damn crowdy in here.''


Arthur suddenly erupted out of the crowd right infront of them, wiping his hand infront of his face, removing some sweat. He was about to make a comment about Scratch and Richard, when he noticed the girl. Did Richard hit on her or... Nah! I'm just fantasizing! I hope. He took a closer look when he examined the girl and her Vulpix, who was obediently sitting infront of her. Krabby leaned forwards over his shoulder as he took a closer look. He was a tad too late to catch the conversation, and looked somewhat awkwardly at the 2 others.

"Uh... Hello...?"

Katherine gave a sweet little grin at Richard. "Yep, all the dishes, wiping up, putting away, and err, carrying! '' She joked. Katherine looked around aimlessly in effort to find the boys friend who she had never seen before, until a sudden voice broke the silence. Looking at the new boy, she smiled, giving Richard another glance. "Is this your friend?''

Richard heard Arthur and turned his head to the right and nodded with a smile. ''Yup..That is Arthur...Hey pal.'' He said and looked back at Katherine. ''Katherine, Arthur and Krabby...Arthur,'' He turned his gaze back to Arthur with a warning frown. ''This is Katherine and Vivie, her Vulpix...They are going to travel with us.''

"Allright, who's this Richard? I knew I shouldn't have left you alone even the slightest moment!" Arthur said quickly after recovering from the shock. He tried his best to keep his face in a semi-angry emotion, untill he couldn't hold himself no more. "Heheheh! just kidding! Nice to meet you! You're travelling with us? Nice! There's just one entrance exam! I'll have to draw you first!" He laughed, winking subtly at Richard. Every time someone had tried to join their duo they were frightened by the idea of Arthur drawing them. Noone knew ofcourse he was really good at it, and was easily discouraged. If Richard deemed her worthy, he'd test her first.

"Well, this is the famous Arthur. Richard has just been telling me all about you! '' Katherine joked, giggling slightly. "A entrance exam, hey? Well only if you let me draw that lil' Krabby of yours then? Deal?"'

"Hang on. Richard. What's this? You actually recruited someone who dares accept my offer? Damn! Anyways, fair enough ma'am!" Arthur said, making a courteous bow, before Krabby reminded him he was still on his shoulder by pinching his ear, upon which he leaped straight upwards again, flinching in terror. "AAAARRGHHHHH" He yelled, before throwing a fierce look at the joyful crab.

Richard just listened to the whole conversation between the two and was glad they could go along with each other. Even Arthur wasn't shy with a nice girl such as Katherine nearby, which was pretty rare. He would make a mental note of it and then sighed before smiling again when Arthur reacted surprised when Katherine accepted his ''offer''. He shoved his hands in his pockets and just smiled while he kept watch on Scratch who kept staring at Katherine. There was something that Richard didn't trust with his Totodile staring at the girl like that....But for now he was calm and quiet.

Giving Arthur a cunning look, she said, "I am very daring aren't I? But I'm sure your very good a drawing, or atleast I hope. Kathy tried to hold in her laughs as Arthur's Krabby pinched him. She should be feeling sorry for the boy, but it was damn funny. "You OK there? '' Kathy asked holding back a smile, trying to look serious but it didn't last very long. Katherine glanced back at Richard who appeard to be looking at his Totodile. Following his stare, she started to watch his Totodile stare at her. It was somewhat a little creepy how it just stood and stared but hey, he was still adorable. "Want another Poffin? ''

And then trouble started. The eyes of Scratch became bigger as Katherine offered him another Poffin. Richard was distracted when his phone was ringing and saw the sign of that trouble started too late.

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

Scratch bounced a few times while Richard tried to pick up his phone, while the ringtone was ringing. He looked with an almost panicked look towards Scratch who suddenly charged of towards Katherine with his jaws open wide. ''Oh good heavens...SCRATCH!'' The Totodile was too fast for Richard to grab him as he also tried to pick up his phone. Suddenly the Totodile closed his eyes while he ran overjoyed towards Katherine.

Richard sighed.

The Totodile had embraced Katherine's right leg and started to cuddle it. Richard scratched the back of his head. ''Seems somebody is already starting to like you...That is actually the second test..While, we once had this dude that was scared so much when Scratch chased him, with his jaws opening and closing, that he thought Scratch wanted to chew on him.'' Richard sighed as he regained his relaxed attitude and tried to look with a friendly look again. ''Now time for you to go back to your pokeball, Scratch...Little troublemaker.'' He took out the pokeball of Scratch and send him back to as he then placed the pokeball back at his belt.

"Actually..." Arthur started, rubbing his painful neck. "We don't really have those tests. I guess it became a running gag after a while. I'm okay though, don't worry. Wait untill he decides to use your nose as a swing. That hurts." He said with a broad smile, looking at Richard and his Totodile.

Richard snorted. ''I didn't started the ''tests''...Though, '' He chuckled and then with a grin looked at Arthur. ''We actually had quite some fun with placing people under all kind of tests.'' He then looked back to Katherine. ''But don't worry, since Scratch likes you without having try to..''taste'' you with his teeth and you don't mind Arthur drawing you...I think you will have some good time with travelling with us..Unless it is ''that' time..Right Arthur?'' He looked back at Arthur, clearly making a reference about the trouble they usually get themselves into.

It happend so fast, Katherine didn't have a clue what was going on. One minute she was offering Richards Totodile a poffin and the next something was hugging her leg. Looking down, she smiled at the little Pokemon. Kathy gentle stroked it's head before he was returned. "He's such a darling, though he may have a little competiton for thoughs Poffins. '' She looked at her Vulpix and gave her a wink. "I'm rather surprised she has stayed quiet for this long, Vivie's normally fighting me over thoughs Poffins.'' She looked back up towards the two boys standing in front of her. "The only test I have for you two is to having to live with me! '' Katherine laughed, stroking Vivies head. "To be honest with you, I'm like a trouble magnet! I swear trouble is just out to get me!''

Richard looked worried for a moment. Did she just called Scratch adorable? He decided to say nothing and just would let her exprience the true nature of Scratch for herself. He then heard her test and laughed for a moment. After he was done laughing he raised his right and and pointed with his thumb to Arthur. ''I think we can handle that...Or we at least have some experience with it.. Seeing Arthur and I also get in trouble many times...'' He glanced at Arthur. ''He is most of the time shy around cute girls..Which makes me wonder why he isn't that with you around...And I , '' He looked back and then pondered for a moment. ''I am sometimes a bit..Well, I sometimes say the things wrong, but I never mean any harm.'' He shoved his hand back in the pocket of his pants and smiled. ''So I think you would fit in fine with us. Anyways....Any of you both have a idea where we should go or do when this whole meeting is over?''

Katherine looked at Richard, trying to hide back a smile as her cheeks grew red. Cute? Did he just call me cute? Kathy was completly lost for words as she just gazed at Richard. She could feel her cheeks get more and more red though the more she thought about it, the more embarrast she got. He thinks I'm cute, oh my god! Pulling herself together, she tried to stop blushing as she answered, "I haven't got a clue where we should start. Arthur?"

"Ah, I expected that. Unlike you Richard I had been busy listening to what should do. Look, now we've got to ... jump into the wild! Go catch pokémon and stuff! I think. In any case, I'm not shy around her because you're here Richard. You 2 cancel eachother out, you see? She's cute, and then you're pityful." Arthur grinned. He beckoned the others towards the exit, and shook his head when he noticed totodile still clinging to Katherine's leg.

Richard frowned. He had noticed the blush on Katherine's cheeks and was worried. Was she getting sick? He tilted his head to right while asking her a question, ignoring Arthur for a moment. ''You okay, Katherine? Your cheeks are suddenly becoming red...Maybe I should try to make you some tea or are you getting it cold? Is that it?'' He undid his scarf and reached it out. ''It is a bad start if you are already going to suffer a cold..As for you Arthur..'' He threw a glare towards his best friend. ''You do know I dislike it when you are lying..You aren't acting shy because she has accepted that you are allowed to draw her..Right?''

Suddenly he noticed something blue and sighed. Scratch had sneaked out of his pokeball and hugged the leg of Katherine again...That little trouble maker...
''But since we don't have a clue where we should go...Shall we just go and see where the trip will go?'' He said to both of them with a smile.

"Oh no, don't worry, sometimes they just do that, you know?" Kathy lied, starting to panic a little. For some reason, the two boys had turned there attention to something on her leg. Looking down, she instantly saw the blue figure of Totodile. "Wow, how long have you been there, little guy? '' She smiled as she offered him another poffin. "If your a fan, I shall be making a lot more of those soon, isn't that right Vivie? '' The Vulpix nodded with joy at her trainer. Looking back at Richard, Kathy answered, "I guess that sounds like a plan! ''

Richard was slightly annoyed she didn't took the scarf and still held his arm reached out and puffed. ''Come on, it is not like you would smell bad or look bad with it..I always wash it, promised...Besides,'' He chuckled. '', If you get sick already so shortly when we are going on our journey, then that would suck, right? So please take it.'' He then looked at Scratch who too the poffin and while munching on, started to run circles around Katherine while he sometimes glanced curious at Vivie. Richard was glad that Scratch didn't had the idea yet to chase after the Vulpix and that his main focus was now Katherine and her Poffins. Richard looked around and wondered how long this meeting would take. ''But to be honest....I have actually no clue where we could start...Heheh...'' He tilted his head. ''And I would hate to make the decisions for the group...''

Katherine smiled as she took the scarf from Richard and tied it loosly around her neck. "I guess going through the Kanto region first is always a popular choice, what about that then? '' Katherine watched as Vivie jumped down from her shoulder and onto the ground next to Scratch.

"Vul-Vul-Vulpix!" Vivie said, trying to introduce itself to the very excited Totodile. "Looks like they are making friends already, huh? '' Katherine picked up her bags from the ground. "What should we do know? ''

Scratch stopped running and looked confused. For a moment it looked like the Totodile was something like...scared of the suddenly introducting of the Vulpix. Then it looked like it was pondering and it looked at the Poffin it was munching on and then back to Vivie. It started to bounce, catching the attention of Richard, who looked with a bit of nervous look at this pokemon. Whenever Scratch was bouncing and looking overjoyed it most of the time meant one thing : trouble.
But then it reached out the poffin to Vivie, much like Richard had reached out his scarf to Katherine. While it reached out the Poffin it glanced at his trainer with a innocent expression on his face. Richard sighed and then heard Katherine's question.

''Hhmmm...They seem to get nice along with each other...That is good..'' He smiled and then thought about her about her question. ''Kanto sounds nice...And not sure..Though I would love to take the train.. I don't have that much money, I am afraid..So, probably we are going to walk, right?'' He asked her back.

Kathy watched as Scratch offered Vivie the Poffin. It was really good that they both seemed to get along so well, it was a relief in fact. "Mind you, I haven't got much money on me neither, though walking doesn't seem like a bad idea. What do you think? '' Katherine smiled at Richard for a moment, he was rather lovely, wasn't he. Nice and all. "We could always go through the forest, that should probally take us somewhere in Kanto, but I'm not positive. Mind you, it would be nice to maybe see and draw all the new pokemon, wouldn't it? ''

"Well I couldn't care less, frankly. What would you guys like to see? Kanto sounds fine though." Arthur said, deeply pondering about what they could see in each region.

Richard had picked up his backpack and whistled, making Scratch to jump and climb up his side, to sit on the backpack, while he held with his arms the ears of Richard with a soft grip. ''I don't mind a hike through the forest..I prefer them above cities...Hate crowded spaces..Certainly with this little troublemaker.'' He said, pointing to Scratch with his right thumb. He looked back at Arthur and Kathrine. ''So....Shall we go or do you both want to draw something before we head out?'' He asked them with a friendly expression on his face.

"Nope. There'll be enough time for that once we're on the way. Let's get started!" He said enthousiastically, before girding his bacpack thighter and leading the group towards the exit. Krabby turned around on his shoulder and gave both other persons a strange undefinable gaze, as usually people can't read crab's faces.

"Lets go then!'' Following Arthus, she spotted Krabby on his shoulder again. "Don't forget, I've still to draw Krabby yet. Maybe once we get a bit into the forest, we should posibally stop for maybe lunch? I could see what I can whip up for you all.''

Richard walked after them while Scratch was making cheerful sounds. He looked around with big and curious looks at everything that moved. ''I would love to lunch soon..Haven't been eating all day.. Maybe not a clever move, but hey...'' He chuckled. ''Could have been worse..'' He whistled a tune of one of his favourite bands while they were walking and then wanted to put on his music, but wouldn't since he wasn't sure if Katherine would like it and knew Arthur didn't like all of Richard's music. And playing out loud music in a forest was asking for trouble. Knowing Arthur taking the lead, they would walk into trouble anyways, but to play out loud music to provoke more...Richard didn't thought that would be a wise move.


"Oh. Richard. We won't run into trouble, you know. I've got it all under control. For now." He said, while turning his head, only to see the beedrill land on Richard's head. "It seems you are really attractive after all Richard." He said smiling, while he motioned at the giant wasp.

Richard snorted and then noticed something. His eyes slowly went to the top of his while he stopped walking. With an annoyed looked he looked up and spotted the beedril, sitting on top of his head. His fear wasn't the beedril, but the fact Scratch would do something....''Great....Just great...So...Anybody got a clever idea?'' He quickly added : ''No...Attacking him while he is on my head isn't smart, Scratch...'' He kept standing still while he hoped the beedril would just go away.

"Yes I have. How about this?" He said, while throwing a rock at it, rustling the wings of the large creature. Arthur backed off as soon as he saw his attack had worked, and now backed off, away from the angry wasp. "Now Krabby! NOW QUICK NOW!" He yelled, as the crab fired a jet of bubbles at the insect. It managed to dodge most, but it got hit by some, and each time it got hit the water on his wings slowed him down, untill he was soaked, and bound to the ground. Arthur walked towards the vicious insect carefully, and used a stick to further examine it, while analyzing it with his pokédex.

"Beedrill. Usually these forest-dwelling creatures live in large hives, helping eachother when atta-..."

"Guys. I suggest we get the fuck out of here. And fast." Arthur said while closing the pokédex. As if the other beedrill waited for him to say that, a loud buzzing noise filled their ears and announced the arrival of a large group of beedrill.

''...Do you just came with that..RIGHT NOW? RUN! RUN!'' Richard suddenly yelled when he heard the loud buzzing sound. Scratch started to make cheerful sounds again as the Totodile started to pat the back of Richard's head as his trainer started to run away from the coming onslaught. When he was nearby Arthur, Richard cursed. ''Quite a new record....Trouble after we go out...In less then ten minutes! I say a p-p-pers-'' He suddenly jumped to the right as a Beedril tried to sting him in the back. ''Aaaah! Why me! Go after him!''

"Don't be a sissy!" Arthur yelled, while he used Krabby as a shield. The crab, having used harden, was more than able to deflect most of the stings. He jumped over a flanking beedrill, and for a brief moment, ran just next to one, staring in eachother's eyes. When the beedrill moved closer, as in a kissing scene in a romantic movie, Arthur smacked his head against it, making it lose speed enough for him to run farther. After more running and dodging beedrill they finally reached a point where the first beedril began to give up the chase. Heavily panting he grinded to a halt in softer ground. Softer ground? Wait. "Guys. This is quicksand." He said casually while he felt his foot sink away.

All Katherine could think about was running, and getting the hell out of there. Just like the trouble magnet she is, she was once again in trouble. Although, this time it wasn't actually her that caused it. One of the Beedril got much too close for Katherine so she had no other choice but to attack back. "Vivie, Ember, lets go! '' With that, she managed to get away from them, only to find herself and the others caught in quick sand. Oh, what a way to start a journey!" ''


"Lie down and relax. Enjoy the tingling feeling as you lay down!" Arthur said, upon dropping himself on his back. This way he would sink way slower, and he hoped his friends would know too. Krabby seemed to eenjoy the soft sand, swimming through it as if it was water.

Richard sighed and looked at the sand..What a drag...But he was relaxed as he simply reached out to his MP3 and started to listen to the song of that was also his ringtone. While he looked relaxed around, Scratch had jumped of his backpack and ran into the forest. ''So...I could go literally for a pancake now...Or maybe a half hour jogging...'' He glanced at Katherine and then pondered. ''You know...My scarf looks better on you then it when I wear it..Not fair..'' He then looked around while listening to the song he was playing, waiting for Scratch to come back soon.

Katherine stared motionlessly at the two boys who were both simply relaxing

"Krabby, stop toying around and get us out of here already!" He said with a smile. Soon after he returned with a branch, leading to the slightly denser shores. Arthur managed to pull himself there, when the branch broke. "Snap. It snapped." He waded through the mud some decimeters more, before pulling himself up at the shores. "Thank the Gods for trees!" He said, while he examined his clothing. He was completely brown and sticky of mud. "That scarf will look as pretty on her right now as it would on my butt. We're all covered with God-knows-what."

"Tsk."

The 'tsk' sound was produced by the boy who had quite an annoyed expression latched onto his face. The boy's eyes kept glancing everywhere but the pair which greeted and talked with the rest of the trainers, but that's not to say he wasn't paying attention, he just looked.... disinterested. Though, he was also pretty damn interested in the place itself, the harbor, the gates, the coffee right there. Perhaps some coffee would be nice. He thought, but dismissed the idea as soon as the gates started to open, and some trainers started to move. Being left behind wasn't an option, so Nero did the same - he picked the 'easier' way, which was just walking to the next town. His fingers had gripped his backpack's strap tightly while his right hand held a pokéball - his bulbasaur, which he had named Lime. As he walked forward, he moved his backpack in front of himself, using his hand to open it and take a small chocolate bar right after.

The boy soon found himself sitting in front of a peaceful lake, in a cross legged position as his backpack rested in the 'hole' in the middle of his legs. He tossed the pokéball up, a faint red light surging from it as the Bulbasaur materialized itself by his side, the pokémon sitting as it stared at Nero's hand which held the chocolate bar. "This isn't healthy, Lime. Don't look at me like that." Nero chuckled quietly, reaching a hand out to pat the Bulbasaur's head, then he opened his backpack, taking a small pack with pokémon food in it. "Here, I'm sure this is-" Except the boy was interrupted by the sound of splashing water as a relatively weak jet of water hit him straight into his face, sending him onto his back. Luckily, no water fell on his chocolate bar. "What the hell?!" Quickly sitting himself up, Nero glanced towards the lake which he sat by, spotting a pokémon floating over the water with a smugly grin on it's face, a Buizel.

"I see how it is, huh.. Lime, it seems we're lucky today, an easy catch!" Excitedly, Nero exclaimed as he released the pokémon food pack, placing it over the grass as he pointed his index finger at the Buizel. "Buuuui!" The water pokémon wasn't so interested in being captured, apparently, as it sinked in the water quickly - only to jump out of it again, using a water gun attack towards Nero, rather than the Bulbasaur. Of course, the boy was knocked a few meters back, rolling and getting soaked - and his clothes covered in dirt. He also lost his precious chocolate, which made him easily angered. "G-Gah! Lime, use Vine Whip and get this damned thing out of the water!" The command was simple, and so the Bulbasar tried to wrap it's vine whip around the Buizel, of course, it didn't work well. The water pokémon was much faster, and quickly moved out of the way - submerging into the water.

Nero stood himself back up during that, making sure to pay attention. As soon as the Buizel emerged from the water, Nero already knew what it'd do - it was a predictable tactic after the first time, after all. "Vine whip right now, Lime!" ... Except it wasn't as predictable as Nero thought. Instead of using Water Gun, water surrounded the fairly strong water's pokémon body as it moved forward - it was the Aqua Jet attack. The vines still managed to wrap around it, but it wasn't enough to stop it as the Buizel moved in direction of the Bulbasaur. "Don't let him, Lime, tackle!" And that did the trick, partly! The Bulbasaur and the Buizel collided one against the other, and both were visibly shaken by the impact... Except the Buizel was now being held in the air by the Bulbasaur's whips. "Good job." Nero murmured, exhaling a quiet sigh as he took one of the empty pokeballs in his belt, focusing his gaze at the Buizel... He then tosses it, a flash of red light absorbing the water type into the pokéball as the object then falls at the ground, moving from a side to another... and then some more... and it still moves around before it opens again, the stubborn thing returning - and it doesn't looks pleased in the slightest.

"Buuuiiiizel!" At least, it wasn't as fast as it was in the water when it was on the ground, but still, it moved pretty quickly as it tried to punch the Bulbasaur - apparently a quick attack. Nero didn't allow, though, quickly commanding a counter attack. "Lime, use your vine whip against the ground in order to leap into the air!" A sudden move, but it worked pretty well as the pokémon leaped fairly high into the air, having a certain height advantage now, even though it was falling down. "Bulba... Saur!" Hardly having time to think, Nero thought about what looked like the best idea. "Right, now use Poison Powder, Lime!" And of course, the bulb on the pokémon's back opens as a green-ish tinted powder is released directly towards the Buizel, which inhales the poisonous powder. It looks disgusted, but soon the effects starts, weakening the water type. "Doing great, Lime, now let's finish this - use your vine whip on that tree to keep yourself from falling, then tackle that annoying thing!" The whole idea didn't... appear that great, but the sight was a pretty good one. The Bulbasaur used it's vines to tightly wrap one of them on a tree branch, using it as an axis point to toss itself forward - in direction of the poisoned Buizel. It slammed straight against the water pokémon, which wasn't capable of dodging, at all. Both of the pokémon were sent rolling backwards, the Buizel obviously taking the worst of it. Not wasting time, Nero grabbed an empty pokéball, sprinting closer to get in range before tossing it at the Buizel, watching expectantly.

The pokéball moves from side to side, as if Buizel was still fighting it... A few more seconds later, the pokéball stops moving, as the center lights with a green light: Success.

Breathing deeply, Nero walks calmly towards the pokéball, taking it in his hand as he eyes it, grinning to himself. "Great job, Lime. I think it would be best if we return rather than continuing on. Both you -- and this stubborn thing here -- will need a decent rest." Placing the pokéball in it's slot on his belt, Nero takes Lime's pokéball, calling him back before returning it to it's spot as well. He leans down to take his backpack right after, slinging it over his back, and as he turns... A small crowd had gathered there, everyone was watching him, apparently. He tilts his head to the side, a small huff escaping him. The rumors are already running around... Without thinking much, the boy makes his way past them, going straight to the pokémon center of the nearby town.

The Team continues their journey!

Time for lunch..Pancakes!

A collab post of Katherine ( Ginger Kollie), Arthur (Roran Hawkins) and Richard (Gerontis)

Katherine stood there quietly thinking about how to escape the quick sand until the sound of Richard's voice filled her ears. ''Well, err, thanks. Although I will have to disagree with you. You look superb in this scarf!'' She gave a small chuckle before returning to her thoughts. Suddenly, an idea hit her. Grabbing her bag, Katherine shuffed through the contents untill she came to her flute. As she pulled the flute out, she turned to face Vivie who was on her shoulders. ''If you see any flying types that come around, please can you ask them to maybe help us out?'' Vivie nodded at her trainer's request and started to scan the area for any signs of movement. With that, Katherine took the first blow to her flute, playing the best tune she could think of that would attract Pokemon. All she could do know was hope some flying types come along and help them out.

Richard had his hands at the back of his head and was enjoying the song he was listening to. He heard what Katherine said and his nose wrinkeled while he disagreed with her. Slowly he turned his look back to her and spoke back wtih a friendly tone in his voice. ''No no no...It is quite the opposite. Don't start an argument with me about it...Hhmm....Ah there!'' He looked back as something blue was bouncing towards them. Scratch held a big branch and looked overjoyed. ''Ah, good...Wait...NO, me first...''

The Totodile went to the side of Katherine and laid the branch in a way she could grab it and then try to pull her out of the quick sand. Richard looked annoyed at his pokemon. ''Great....Just great...Little traitor...Who is your trainer? Me or her?'' Scratch looked at Richard and then bounced as he pointed at her. Richard sighed and raised his fist towards his quirky pokemon. ''She is just the one who is giving you snacks all the time!'' The Totodile stopped bouncing as his little hands went to the scarf that was around his neck and then pointed again at Katherine. Richard gave up and threw his arms up in the air. ''Great...She looks better in a scarf and gives you treat...What about loyality?'' Suddenly the Totodile turned to Richard and opened his mouth. ''Huh? NO NO...NOO!''

Suddenly Scratch fired Water gun towards Richard, trying to blast him out of the quick sand. A proces that only made Richard even dirtier when he was blasted on solid ground. Soaked and coughing, he tried to rise up and raised a fist towards his pokemon. ''Dangit....Scratch!!''


"Are you seriously going to argue over that?" Arthur said while dancing around somewhat awkwardly to get rid of the mud. This certainly was a great start for their amazing adventure! He stopped when he noticed totodile, freeing Katherine from the mud. He grinned as he saws his comrade complain. Right after Katherine was on the shores though, totodile fired a big jet of water right at Richard, splattering mud all over the place. Arthur was quick to help Katherine get some sure footing while he could barely stand himself from falling of laughter. He saw Richard bounce and crashland into a solid patch of grass, completely covered with mud now.

Katherine smiled at Richard as he began to complain about Scratch helping her out first. She shouldn't really laugh, but it was very funny. Once on shore, Arthur helped her get to her feet. The mud was so thick, it was unbelieveable. She could hardly move at all with all the muddy slop hanging from her legs and feet. As Richard got blasted out of the quick sand, she simply couldn't help be splurt out laugh. ''Damn, Richard, you haven't got a clue how funny you look right now!'' Kathy drew back her flute and placed it into her bag again. ''Well, we could all do with a bit of a shower now, don't you all think?''

"Krabby, please lend us a hand. Or pincer." He said, while the small crab moved closer and showered them with bubbles. the bubbles clinged to their bodies, and as soon as they would explode they would inflict damage. It'd certainly clean them, if they wouldn't mind some scratches or bruises. Roran luckily minded to first ask Katherine. "Need a shower too?" He said, while the bubbles all over him started to pop, leaving him standing somewhat dazed but entirely clean amidst a circle of mud.

Richard wasn't happy at all, but wouldn't get angry..He couldn't get angry just that easily. He rose up and looked at his clothes and sighed. ''I could go for a shower...But I think I can do it on my own'' He said while he threw a glance to both Scratch and Krabby. He looked at his vest and saw the dirt and then decided to pull it off. When he was done with that he stood in his t-shirt and looked at his vest with an annoyed look. ''Great...My favourite one...'' He was at least glad of the protective slipcover for his MP3, cause he didn't want to lose it by some water damage. His music was still playing and then Richard decided to put it out for now. Looking at his friends, he wrapped his vest around his waist and scratched the back of his head. ''Maybe we should try to eat something and then continue?''

''Yeah go for it!'' Kathy said, answering Arthur's question. When the bubbles had all popped, she stood there for a moment, putting together everything that had just happend. I wonder whether everyday would be like this? She asked herself in her thoughts. Drowning out her thoughts, came Richards voice asking her if they should try and eat something before they continued. ''Sounds like a plan to me.Though I would prefer to find somewhere a bit more open and less muddy then here. ''

"Agreed." Arthur said, wiggling around to get his clothes back into their former comfortable position. Krabby jumped up his shoulder again, and started rumaging through Arthur's backpack, suddenly

Richard walked around the quick sand while Scratch was bouncing and ran towards his trainer. Richard sighed as the Totodile ran around Richard and climbed till he was on the shoulder of Richard. ''Sure..She is good for treats and I am good for transport? Little bugger...'' He walked towards the east and shoved his hands in the pockets of his pants.
Then he heard something..Water falling down and he walked to that direction, not really looking back if the others would follow him. Arhtur had led the group and now it was Richard's turn, he thought chuckling. He saw a waterfall and a nice little river. He sighed and dropped his backpack and Scartch hopped of Richard's shoulder and ran to the water to play in it. Bending on a knee, Richard started to search his backpack for something to eat, but noticed most of his food was ruined by the dirt of the quick sand. With a disgusted look he pulled out some sandwiches that had some dirt on them. ''Great....Just great..''

Katherine followed Richard around and out of the quick sand and back into the forest. Soon, they came to an open plain with a nice waterfall and river beside it. ''This should do just fine!'' Kathy said with a cheerful look on her face. Walking beside Richard, she saw as he lifted a rather muddy looking sandwich out of his bag. ''Hey, don't worry. I told you, let me do the cooking and I'll have all your bellys full in no time.'' With that, she backed away and started to set up all her cooking equipment, which was really only her portable stove and a pot. Katherine looked over at her Vulpix, 'What do you think about coming over and helping me find some berries, hey?''

"Hah! I told you to pack them seperately!" Arthur said while victoriously waving his spotless sandwiches infront of Richard. "But I'm sure Scratch'll still like them." He said with a wink, before hearing Kathy's comment. He gasped in awe and stepped back. "You replaced me as a cook? What? Richard! How could you!" He played, beforestarting to eat from his sandwich, handing over one with cheese to Richard. He was curious to see how good she was at it. He took a bite, and halfway chewing it, he quickly tossed Krabby some food too. "Berries? Sure." He said, standing up and looking around. "However, first I'll use the bath-tree." He said while finding a tree suitable and worthy enough to be sprinkled with his pee.

Richard looked up, ignoring Arthur for the moment. ''Oh thank you Katherine.'' He sighed and then streched his arms and legs while he thought of what he could do in the meant time. He heard Arthur something about replacing him and and grinned. ''Huh...Don't think like that..She can draw too! So I am replacing you totally for her..'' He looked around and thought the place was quite nice..Peaceful for a change. He saw how Arthur went to a tree to answer the call of nature and while Katherine would go search for berries, Richard got bored and thus decided to go for a quick swim.

After he undressed his t-shirt and throwing his vest and t-shirt on the bank, he jumped into the water. Scratch suddenly popped up and bounced around before following his trainer. Richard sighed and then laid on his back, hands on the back of his head and eyes closed. ''This is life...Right, mate?''
''Totototo!'' Scratch replied as he was also on his back, floating on his back on the water.

"Allright, let's go find berries." He said, zipping up his pants. He shook his head when he saw Richard swimming, having ignored the sandwich he had offered him. Stubborn bastard.

With Vivie at her side, they both went on a hunt for some berries. Kathy wondered whether any berries acutally grow around here untill she spotted a nearby bush full of berries. ''Yes! Just what we need! '' Plucking a whole load full of Cheri berries, she soon returned back to the others. Placing the bundle on the ground, she ordered for Vivie to light up the stove so she could cook some of the berries. Then, Kathy dug into her bag, pulling out some MooMoo Milk, Flour and some other ingredients, placing all of them into the pan.
Very soon the smell of pancakes filled the air. She always loved that smell, it was in fact one of her favourites. ''What do you two think of having some pancakes for lunch, hey?''

Richard opened slowly his right eye, his green coloured eye, when he smelled the scent of pancakes. A smile crept on his lips. ''Please say you are just teasing me with making that smell..Or do you truly...'' He turned and swam to the bank when he saw that she was baking some pancakes. Lifting himself out of the water, he looked with a joyful expression to Katherine who was baking pancakes. ''Oh! I love pancakes! Hhmm, need a towel...'' He turned around and walked to his backpack while searching for one. ''I was sure that I had one...Where is it?''

Scratch ran around in big circles with the towel and started to bounce around. ''Tototototot.. Totodile!''
Richard looked up and grunted. ''Oh come on! I am going to get a cold if I don't dry myself..Give it back...'' Scratch looked for a moment in the direction of Richard and then bounced and started to run. Richard cursed and started to chase the Totodile. ''Give it back Scratch!''

Katherine continued to bake the pancakes, place each finished one onto a plate. In between turns, she started to cup up most of the remaining berries and put them into a spare pot, stir endlessly. After that, she took out her poffin tray and covered them and she put them on heat to bake. Kathy finally made the sixth pancake and placed two on each plate. Once the Poffins were baked, she put a fair amount into each Pokemon dish. Remebering to bring out a bowl, she shuffeled the other cooked berried into it so they could have some cooked berries onto of their pancakes if they wanted to.Katherine placed a dish of freshly baked poffins in front of Scratch and then another in front of Vivie. After serving the dishes and plates, she started to wonder where Arthur and Krabby had gotten off to.

Arthur seemed to disappear into the background as he grabbed his paper and pen, and started to draw.
http://www.sketchtoy.com/21719961

''Gotcha! He said with a smile. Holding up the towel in his left hand and Scratch in his right. Richard looked around and put his pokemon down, who started to bounce and ran around. Richard dried himself and then walked back to his backpack. He did the towel back in the backpack while he laid his dirty t-shirt and vest ready to clean them both up after they would have lunch. Then he looked for a t-shirt, but only found a tank top. He sighed and took it. After it he turned to Katherine and saw that she was rounding up the lunch. He looked around and then spotted Arthur, in the background as he was starting to draw. Richard smiled a bit and then walked towards Katherine. ''That smells great! Can I help with something?'' He asked her with a smile as he couldn't resist the scent of the pancakes anymore.

The Team continues their journey!

Training, talking and the blushing! It never stops.

A collab post of Katherine ( Ginger Kollie), Arthur (Roran Hawkins) and Richard (Gerontis)

Arthur was heavily concentrated on what he was drawing, only vaguely noticing what was happening behind him. "You guys back there, take it easy, right?" He said. He didn't entirely trust those 2 together, for reasons he couldn't really define. Probably because he didn't like eating mystery food, and because last time Richard cooked something it was potent enough to instantly make even a legendary pokémon such as Dialga or Lugia faint. And he wasn't exaggerating at all. He dismissed the distracting thoughts as he erased a small fault with a gum, and redrew the armpit of the character he was drawing.

"Nah it's fine, really, I'm actually done now, so dig in!"
Katherine gave Richard his plate with two well cooked, sweet smelling pancakes on. She also offered Richard the bowl of cooked fruit to put on his pancakes as she also grabbed Arthurs plate. "I'm going to just pass this over to Arthur, I'll be back in a minute. " With that, Katherine left Richard as she walked over to Arthur with his plate of pancakes in her hands. "I hope you are hungry Arthur!" Kathy said as she reached him.

"Yeah..." He said absently, taking the plate from Katherine and threw a quick glance at her to thank her. "Thanks..." He mumbled, before finishing the drawing he was working on. He knew Richard loved pancakes more than his mother, and that he would be overjoyed with this meal. The thought made him chuckle. To defeat Richard in a gym fight throw a pancake at him. That'll distract him long enough. Or have a pancake destroyed right before his eyes. He'd go throguh great lenghts to save that pancake, even if it'd result in breaking a leg, or two.

Richard nodded when Katherine said it was fine and gave him the plate with pancakes. He couldn't help then to smile. The scent of pancakes always made Richard smile. Heck, they would even bring a smile to his face if he would suffer from a broken arm..Or two broken arms...Or maybe a broken arm and leg..Or maybe a broken..You get the picture..
After he sat down, he broke a piece of the first pancake and ate it, chewing on it. He was overjoyed when he tasted the rich and sweet taste of the pancake. He took another bite and then spotted Scratch, but for once he wasn't making any trouble..Maybe it would turn out to be a nice day after all, despite the start.

As Arthur took the plate off of her, she couldn't help baut take a peek at what the boy was drawing. When she saw it, she couldn't help but feel surprised. He was actually much better at drawing than she had first thought...
or hoped. Damn it, I have competion. She thought, giving Arthur a small smile before heading back to the Richard and the rest of the group. "Hows the pancakes, Richard?" Kathy returned back to them and grabbed her plate while wanting for his answer.
''If I didn't know better, I would ask you to marry me. They are amazing!'' He said with much joy, taking an other bite of his first pancake. He kept looking at the pokemon and started to think a bit. ''Hhmmm...'' He took an other bite and almost felt how tears were forming at his eyes. They weren't just amazing..They were pieces of heaven you could eat. ''I am thinking about where we should head to...Do you have any goals?'' He asked her while he was thinking about his own ones.

Katherine blushed as Richard mentioned about marrying her for her pancakes. Her damn cheeks were as bright as anything. Putting herself together she asked, "not really, I just really want to get to know Pokemon in general. I haven't really made up my mind on what to do. I was thinking of entering gym battles and contests. What about you?" Katherine was rather pleased to see Richard so happy with her pancakes. It was one of the best feelings. Kathy looked towards Scratch and Vivie who were happly eating there poffins. Then she looked back at Richard. "Just so you know, I can always make many more of those if you like, anytime." Kathy looked back over to Arthur, who was still contentrated on drawing. "Hey, Arthur, what do you think about the pancakes?" She yelled.

Arthur turned his drawing around to avoid making dirty stains from wiping over the pencil with his hand, and took a better look at what he was producing, upon which he erased the foot of the character and redrew it to look more natural. He completely missed Katherine calling his name while he now redrew the steel greaves and kneeplates on the fully armoured warrior. "Wait ... How did those fit again?..." He mumbled, sticking out his foot and testing the position of the character's foot. Then he applied the armour to his own foot in his imagination, and realised the current position was about right. He put down his foot again and turned his attention towards the arms of his character, immediately noticing several faults. He raised his arm as if he was going to hit someone with a sword, and saw the location of the character's thumb was off.

Getting slighty annoyed at Arthur for not answering her, Kathy managed to find a small stone on the ground beside of her. Picking it up, she swung her arm back, throwing the stone directly at Arthur. Although, she only meant for it to land next to him, it ended up smacking him on the head. Opps... Acting natural, she sat back down. "Richard, if he asks, I didn't do it! " She whispered to Richard.

Richard looked up, thinking about something. He frowned. ''Heh? Did what? I am a bit confused...Heh?'' He took another bite of his pancake while returning to his thougths. Softly mumbling, he spoke to nobody in general. ''Maybe I should put on some music.''

"Gah!" He blurted out when something hard and painful made him stop whatever he was doing. As if stung by a beedrill he turned around, rubbing his painful head. His eyes were two lances, capable of piercing right into one's soul. He picked his pencil up again, and erased the faulty line he had accidentally drawn when hit. He stored away his drawing tools carefully, before joining the other two youngsters. "Which of you two threw a stone against my head?" He asked, still fiercely annoyed

"Err, a stone, what stone?" She answered innoccently. Kathy gave a small glace over to Vivie who had seen the whole thing and was already laughing her head off. Giving Vivie a warning gaze, she returned her stare back at Arthur. "It could be a ghost? Or maybe the tooth fairy? " Katherine said, looking somewhat guilty.

Suddenly another rock went flying towards Arthur. ''TOTOTOTTO.... Scratch bounced as he had seen how Katherine had thrown the rock and started to run in circles. Richard was too much distracted by his own thoughts to pay attention to anything. He suddenly rose up and went to his MP3. [b]''Yeah...Need some music and then training time, Scratch..'' He said while he thought about what music he would put on. Of course rock, since they always put on rock when they were training.

Arthur caught the pebble mid-air, and projected it straight back at Totodile's forehead. "Scratch. Remember me to repay the favour before you've grown into a terrifying giant beast." He said angrily before taking another bite of the pancake. Finally his bad mood was cured, as he admitted to himself it was better than he had expected. Perhaps he didn't care for being replaced as a cook after all!

Scratch was running around before hit by the rock. It looked confused around and then ran straight to the trainers with his arms held up in the air, while faking it was crying. ''To tototo!'' It ran straight to Katherine and cuddled against her leg. Richard was back with his mp3 and looked up and raised an eyebrow. ''You don't have to cry...It is just training like always...Seesh...'' He sat down and continued to eat while looking at the screen of his MP3, looking for the right song.

Katherine could leave but give a little giggle as the Totodile copied her by throwing a rock at Arthur. She picked the little Totodile up and gave it a cuddle as it take running to her. Or course she knew it wasn't really hurt, but hey, why deny a free hug? Putting Scratch down, she glanced at Vivie again. "Why don't we do a bit of training too, huh?"

Scratch ran to Richard who just had finished eating and rose up. His pants and shoes had been dried up and it didn't annoyed him that much anymore. He looked at scratch and then asked him the question. ''Okay..What about...Silverstein...And then..Massachusetts?'' Scratch looked like he was pondering and then bounced. Richard smiled as he also nodded. ''Okay...Let's do this.'' Scratch started to run in circles while Richard started to let his MP3 to play the song.

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os9hZbgqH5A

Scratch looked at Richard to start. Richard streched his arms and smiled. ''Push ups first?'' Scratch bounced and both at the same time dropped to the ground to perfom the push ups to warm up.

"Ah, training time." He said when he noticed the others preparing to do so. Krabby leapt up at hearing his words, and prepared for a training battle. "So, how about Krabby versus the two of you? We switch every minute!" He proposed, Krabby clacking his pincers in agreement. He had fought Totodile many times before, and his hard shell often proved impregnable for the small reptilian creature.

Finishing her pancakes, she placed the empty plate on the side, saying that she would clear everything up after training. With Vivie at her side, they both walked into a nice open space on the field, just a little bit away from the others. "Maybe we should start with contests first." Vivie nodded as she got into place, ready for her trainers orders.

"Right lets go Vivie, spin while using Energy ball upwards." Katherine orderd. The Vulpix shot many Energy balls up into the air. "Quick attack and bounce off of the Energy Balls. " Vivie shot up into the air, bouncing off each of the Energy Balls, as they burst into very fine sparkles. Katherine's eyes lit up as she saw who beautiful it all looked. Suddenly, one of the Energy Balls burst just as Vivie came onto it, make the Vulpix come crashing down. Kathy ran towards the falling Vulpix, catching her in her arms. "You OK?"

Richard rose up and Scratch bounced. He sighed and then heard Arthur's challenge. He frowned while he enjoyed the song, even mumbling some of the lyrics while thinking about the challenge.

[''She'll fantasize about it
Every single day but she can't find it
In her heart to run away
And no one's listening
With Northern Massachusetts
On his knees to stay
He's begging"
Please, oh baby please,
I can explain
It won't happen again"

Then he slowly turned to Arthur and nodded. ''Good enough...'' Scratch bounced and started to run circles, while Richard continued to mumble some of the lyrics and waited for Arthur's move.

"Ready?" He said with a broad smile. Arthur nodded at Krabby, who bustled into action, already knowing what to do. "Dig!" Arthur yelled, upon which Krabby dug itself into a narrow tunnel into the soft ground. He knew he would target Totodile first, as he usually did, but would also use a diversionary tactic this time. "Use bubblebeam!" He yelled, upon which the ground right under and around Totodile cracked open and released forceful jets of bubbles as if they were geysers. The moment Totodile would flinch even a single second from being hit, Krabby would protrude from the ground and hit Totodile with a pincer strike.

Scratch suddenly heard a whistle from Richard and ran towards a tree. Richard rolled his eyes as Arthur was using the same old thing again. While the Totodile was climbing the tree, Richard started to think about which song he would play when the current one would be done. He glanced at Arthur and still mumbled some of the lyrics. ''
And again she lays beside him thinking:
I'll pretend in the middle of the night
My eyes are closed I'm sleeping
But I won't come back''
He saw how suddenly a figure was watching from the bushes and raised his arm, making it clear to Arthur that he needed to stop for the moment. Scratch was in the tree and was bouncing on a branch, pumping his fists in the air while looking overjoyed. ''Tototototo!'' Richard frowned and saw how the tiny figure started to sneak more towards Katherine and Vivie, clearly attracted to the tiny show they were giving.

The Vulpix nodded as if to tell her trainer that it was OK. Katherine smiled at Vivie while pondering about what could have gone wrong. "You were wonderful Vivie! I think maybe you need to be a little bit faster getting to each Energy. They will burst the second you touch them."With that Kathy, placed Vivie back onto the ground. "You wanna try again? Good, now Energy Ball!" Vivie sent multiple balls of gren up into the air. "Quick Attack! " The Vulpix launched up into the air bounce off of each ball as they burst into sparkles. "Thats great Vivie, keep it up! " As the Vulpix came to the last few, Katherine couldn't help but get excited. "As you come down, spin and use Ember!" A firey blaze circled Vivie as she contiued to fall. Once the Vulpix was on the ground, the fire spread out and vanished as it hit the grass. Kathy smiled in delight, running up to Vivie. "That was excitent! Vivie! Just remeber to pose at the end, OK?" Katherine picked the Vulpix up and spun around with her in her arms. "We'll win are first contest for sure! "

Richard walked with his hands in his pockets and smiled. ''Awesome perfomance! Wish I could pull such stunts with Scratch. Kahterine.'' He walked to stand next to her and smiled. He tilted his head to the right while he spoke to her. ''Don't look, but at the right..There is something hiding the bushes...And are you getting a cold already? I thought my scarf would prevent you from getting it cold!'' He said while noticing her blush, looking worried again.

Katherine blushed slighty as Richard told her how good her perfomance was. She was quite surprised to hear his voice, she didn't know anyone was watching her. "Thanks, we are just perfecting all our moves to get ready for our first contest, where ever it might be." As Richard told her something was hiding in the bushes next to her, she couldn't help but looked at him confused. "Err, yeah, as healthy as anything." She said looking at Richard curiously. I wonder what he was talking about, she thought to herself.

He snorted when she responded that she was healthy. ''Your cheeks always get so red. I am really worried you might caught something. In any case..I will look up soon what was hiding there. Can't see it now, but maybe it was attracted to the scent of your amazing pancakes.'' He looked where he had seen the little figure and thought for a moment. ''So, contests right? You aren't going to compete for badges like Arthur?'' He asked her while he kept looking at the bushes.
Katherie continued to blush as Richard noticed it. "Nah, I told you, they can do that sometimes. And really,, stop being so nice. My pancakes weren't that great. " Katherine gave Richard a small smiled as she thought about what could have been watching them from that bush. "Actually, I want to do both. Contests and Gym Battles. I think being good at both would help me to think of new battle stragities for both. What are you going to be doing?"

Richard couldn't see anything of the little mysterious visitor and was a bit sad he hadn't take any action, but who knew? Maybe it would return. He turned to Katherine and thought about it. ''Not sure....I don't have an idea what I could do, to be honest. Maybe I just will travel around and have fun with my pokemon and with you and Arthur, if we are going to stick together.'' He looked back and sighed. ''Or maybe I will change my mind..I simply don't know. I signed up in the first place to go to new places with Scratch and Arthur and meet new people.'' He chuckled and then flashed her a smile. ''For now I already met an awesome girl...Though if you keep on blushing, we are going to a doctor when we arrive in the next town. I am really worried that you might have caught something. Is it my scarf?'' He asked with raising an eyebrow while looking curious in her direction.

That was it, the end of her. Once Richard had said that he had already met an awesome girl, she just couldn't stop her cheeks from flashing red. The second he started talking about her going to see a doctor, her whole entire face turned red in embarrassment. "Em, err, oh, yea, errrr. " Katherine started mumbling. Getting even more embarrassed, she pulled Richards scarf up over her mouth and cheeks. "No, no, no, I'm fine really. Errr. Emm, I'm OK." Katherine grew redder at every second he stared at her. Damn it, these stupid cheeks, stop bloody glowing! She thought to herself. "Your emm, eyes are lovely you now, really rare."

Richard frowned and rubbed with his right hand his neck. His left blue-gray eye and right green eye narrowed as he looked at her. He was just about to ask why she pulled his scarf up, but then she talked about his eyes. He blinked them surprisingly and kept frowning. ''You think? What is so lovely about them? Most people either don't notice and some think it is strange.'' He thought for a moment and then nodded a few times. ''If I had the option, I would prefer your eyes. They are way more prettier then mine or any pair of eyes I have seen so far.'' He said with a smile, trying to be nice because it was rare that somebody said something nice about his eyes.

"Only strange people would think your eyes were strange, so they are all just Hypocrites. " Just as her cheeks were finally about to tone down, Richard started to told about her having pretty eyes. Her whole face glowed as if it was on fire. Katherine put her hands on her face trying to hind her red face. "I, I, I have to go. " With that, Kathy ran as fast as she could into the forest with Vivie at her heels.

Richard scrathed the back of his head while Scratch ran circles around him. ''I don't get it....Did I said something bad? Or maybe she has some fever and turning sick? That would be horrible, wouldn't that not be, mate?'' He looked in Scratch's direction who started to bounce and agreed with shouting with joy. Richard nodded and then threw a glance where Katherine ran to. ''Maybe I should do the dishes for now. Maybe she just wanted to jog. Bit rude...I love to jog, but oh well..'' He beckoned Scratch while walking back. ''Come on, you are going to help me to do the dishes.'' Scratch suddenly stop bouncing and looked where Katherine was, in order to look try to gather support from her. Richard stopped and turned his Totodile. ''Come on!'' Scratch looked around once more and then stared at Richard, before running circles around his trainer.

Emile Fanchon

Emile woke up groggily from his bed, pulling himself up from his hostel bed. He calmly scanned around the room in an half awakened state. His eyes still not fully adjusted, Emile grabbed his glasses from the lopsided bedside table and put them on before hopping out of bed. As Emile stood up, he worked off the plain white under-shirt as he walked into the bathroom. He quickly slammed his hand against the shower nozel as he closed the glass door behind him. His head resting up against the glass, Emile unenthusiastically washed himself with the supplied bar of soap. It had been about a week since he had departed on his journey and the novelty of being out on his own was already starting to fade. Now grumbling about being awake, he stumbled out of the shower and dried himself off. It almost felt like being cooped up in his house, excepting the brief and uneventful days of travel. He had passed travelers and trainers on the road, but most of them had the emotional depth of a block. Now dry, Emile slipped into his pants and started to fasten his belt, staring blankly out the window. Just like the day before, it was a fine and sunny day. With a long sigh, Emile threw on his shirt and slipped his hat and gloves on. He figured he would at least get to the next town by the end of today. Throwing his shoulder bag on, he walked out the door, still trying to wake up.

After checking out, Emile left the town and started heading out of the city following the road. The so called League Plateau was not only the oddest named town he had ever been in, but the people shared the same awkward enthusiasm that the name had. Speaking of enthusiasm, he would probably need to let Amber out of her poke-ball so she could stretch and eat something. As Emile got farther down the road he noticed a group of what appeared to be trainers, talking. He said they were trainers, mainly because they had their Pokemon running around their respective owner. Hoping not to run into any sort of battle and/or long and pointless conversation, Emile attempted to stroll by quietly and calmly.