Pokemon Trainer Vicky (Pokemon SI) - Chapter 27

“Booored.” I moaned into my pillow. Day three of my grounding, which no matter how good I acted hadn’t been rescinded left me with very little to do. Sure I did a lot of chores. Partly because Mama had rather frankly reminded me that since I was here, I could take care of my own Pokemon.

 

But I was boooored! I couldn’t go out and play, or wander around as I tended to before my Journey, and while I could play with the Growlithe, that got a bit exhausting after three days. Even for me.

 

“Up you go Trouble. Mother has a bunch of weeds to pull out.” Papa interrupted my pity party with the order looking in from the doorway before walking away.

 

I sighed into the pillow, was getting up and weeding, less or more boring than doing nothing? I considered it for a few moments.

 

Less. Okay.

 

“Yes Papa.” I called out as I rolled sideways, flopping out of bed, grunting as I hit the floor because standing was too much to ask right that moment. I sighed and slowly sat up, rising to my feet just in time for a Growlithe that I had been chasing out of my room for the last few days to scramble inside and instantly jump on my bed, once more claiming my bed for himself.

 

“Dammm-dangit Pillow!” I grumble hastily correcting myself in case Papa was still nearby. Pillow was what I had decided to call this Growlithe, because he literally stole my pillow any chance he could get. He was one of the few Growlithe that had come to like being inside, and had apparently decided that since I was gone, my room was now his.

 

He was a little jerk, but he was nice to cuddle at night.

 

Still he drooled! And stole pillows!

 

I grumbled when I realized he was already laying on his back legs spread and tongue hanging completely out of his mouth, on my pillow that trying to move him would just be an ordeal.

 

And he would just come running right back once I leave. Pillow knew how to open doors…

 

I almost stomped out of my room but managed to keep myself from doing so as I passed the kitchen where Mama was thankfully no longer baking, but instead cleaning up breakfast. “Do everything your Grandmother needs.” Mama called out and I threw her a thumbs up as I passed, Papa already out on the porch overlooking the pack playing around in the yard.

 

As I left I grabbed my hat from the coat rack near the door, slipped into my stompy boots, and finally grabbed my Pokeball belt. Everyone’s Pokeball was left open in a Pokeball drawer near the front of the house. It was locked up tight with a code to keep out thieves something that people kept for their pet Pokemon, or in our case, Pokemon that were allowed to wander free.

 

Well everyone but Gyarados. He wasn’t socialized enough to stay out, and he didn’t like being locked away… One near explosion as he started trying to force himself out of the ball had proven that.

 

So he was the only ball on the belt, he didn’t mind being on the belt since I would walk by the front door all the time, and Mama had been at least soothed enough that I was listening and not causing problems.

 

So I took my belt. There was a cultural thing. Most trainers never went anywhere without a Pokemon, but even fewer went anywhere without a few Pokeballs on hand, and my belt had a few stored in a back pouch. I wasn’t worried about much but…

 

Never knew when I would need a few Pokeballs. Mostly for chucking at irritating people.

 

Straightening my hat I stepped out beside Papa. “Ready!”

 

He gave me a smile which was nice as he promptly tugged my hat down over my eyes.

 

I squawked in outrage and fixed it only to see Papa already rushing for the car. “Last one in has to clean Arcanys Puppy bed!” He shouted out behind him which had me white out in horror.

 

Arcany didn’t let anyone touch his puppy bed. Cleaning it was a monstrous chore as you had to fight him the entire way. Literally if you tried to wash it he would just grab straight out of the washer even if it was wet and covered in soap and drag it back to his ‘spot’ to sit in it.

 

The messes… The horror!

 

My feet raced down the steps but it was far too late.

 

Legs… Too short! I shouted in outrage as I made it to the car long after Papa had already slipped in, puffing I glared.

 

“Well I guess you have another chore for tonight. Good luck.”

 

“I’m gonna tell him you are trying to clean his Puppy bed, so he goes and sits on you.” I threatened, earning a chuckle from Papa as he slipped on his seatbelt.

 

“I’ll just tell him I told you to do it.” He retorts, earning a glare, because Arcany would figure out he was being tricked, and then he would be mean.

 

I should probably put on a bathing suit before trying to clean his puppy bed because otherwise I was liable to end up dunked in the stream.

 

The jerk.

 

My grumbling ended though as we started pulling out, rolling down the window I waved to my Pokemon that were noticing me leaving. “Going to Gram Grams for chores! Be good while I’m away!” I called out to my team, bar Gyarados who was in his Pokeball resting as I was still working on his socialization thing.

 

He was still not quite understanding inside and outside… He had almost stuck his head through my bedroom wall. Not my window. No. That was way too small for him to fit.

 

The wall.

 

Anyways my team all gave me little waves. Dragonite with her hands which I giggled at because it was still cute she had hands now. Her own fascination with them made it adorable whenever she realized she had done something automatically. This surprised like happy look.

 

With that I settled into the seat of the car back to feeling a little bored. I hadn’t ever taken myself as someone that gets antsy, but I was feeling it a bit. That desire to just… Go. Huh. What a weird feeling.

 

But grounded. Super bummer.

 

The next few moments were quiet. Papa wasn’t usually super chatty as he drove, and I was still feeling bored. Then we hit the first red light and I happened to glance out the window only to jerk to the side and with a yelp.

 

“A-arcanine! What are you doing you dork!” I screeched as I rushed to roll down the window because standing there at the light tail wagging happily and looking like a dog on a walk Arcanine was there face practically pushed up against the glass waiting for me.

 

“Arc!” She barked at me happily as she tippy tapped right there on the street to my horror. There was actually a car behind her in the lane, and I could see the driver looking on in surprise at the damn Arcanine blocking them.

 

“No! Don’t you give me that! Go home Arcanine! Home!”

 

“Arc!” She barked instantly, refusing as she hopped from side to side.

 

Okay so being grounded it wasn’t like I had been able to take my girl out on ‘walkies’ or anything. Considering Arcanines idea of a ‘short walk’ was something like a hundred miles minimum.

 

“No! Bad Arcanine! Bad!” I shook a finger at her which she completely ignored. She was in full on zoomies. Nothing beat her zoomies.

 

Of course right then something happened that had me spinning in shock.

 

Papa revved the engine on his car.

 

Instantly Arcanine was ready leaping to look down the street her butt in the air and her tail spinning like a helicopter practically lifting her off the ground in excitement.

 

I turned, staring at Papa in horror as he had an utterly amused smirk on his face. “Papa… Officer Jenny is going to kill you.”

 

“Not if she doesn’t catch us! Race you there!” He called out to Arcanine just as the light turned green and he hit the gas. I was jerked back into my seat thankful for my seatbelt as Papa floored it.

 

Arcanine barking in joy as she easily kept pace with the car.

 

But well… It was the most exercise she had in days.

 

Well until Officer Jenny pulled us over.

 

—–

 

“Not if she doesn’t catch us.” I mocked Papa as I slammed the door shut with a glare. He was hunching a bit as he stepped out.

 

“Listen, no one could have guessed Jenny would be right around the corner.”

 

“She probably heard your tire squeal. It’s not like many people drive like maniacs in the city.” I tell him hands on my hips sternly, earning an apologetic shrug. Arcanine of course hadn’t cared. More than happy to run laps around the car while Jenny gave Papa the dressing down of his life.

 

I had even gotten in trouble because I didn’t have her Pokeball on me!

 

“So, how much is it going to cost me for you to not repeat this story to your mother? Or mine…” He added as we walked up to Gram Grams gate.

 

“Oh I’m not sure that’s on the table.” I added with a sinister grin as I entered the gate holding it open for Arcanine to saunter inside her movements more bouncy than normal as she was still in full on zoomies.

 

“I’ll take care of Arcanys Puppy bed… And I’ll feed the pack.”

 

“An interesting start.” I offer as I knock on the door to Gram Grams house making sure that Papa knew he would be groveling a bit more before I agreed to keep my mouth shut.

 

Seriously Officer Jenny had been so mad.

 

“Ah there is my worthless son.” Gram Gram called not from inside, but off to the side she came around wearing the same sort of big straw hat that I did and was a pair of big gardening gloves.

 

“And my troublesome Grandaughter.” I winced. Gram Gram was still mad I guess.

 

“Morning Gram Gram. I’m here to help!” I offer, deciding to ignore her irritation with plucky determination!

 

“So you will.” She offered after a moment her face gaining a sinister smile. “And so you will. Hehehe.” She offered as she took off the gloves she had been wearing and stepped close enough to hand them to me. “Weeds in my garden. Off you go.” She ordered instantly and I deflated.

 

Dangit.

 

“What’s this?” She asked looking at Arcanine who had been bouncing around the front lawn of Gram Grams little estate.

 

“Oh right she followed us… If you put some music on, something with a fast beat that will keep her occupied.” I decided, if she had the zoomies the only way to win was to give her some sort of exercise. The fact her tail started wagging told me it was a good call.

 

“Music?”

 

“I’ll take care of it Mother, I have an idea of what Vicky means. Go on Trouble get weeding.”

 

“Yeah yeah.” I offered as I headed for the back. Time for chores I guess.

 

I wandered into Gram Grams little garden, mostly she did it for flowers and the like, but I could tell some of the plants were herbs for cooking, or just to smell nice. I made sure to grab the actual weeds and not something Gram Gram was actually growing.

 

I didn’t want to imagine how much trouble I would be in if that happened.

 

Faintly I could hear some music start up and a few happy barks from the other side of the house.

 

That brought a smile ot my face, which kept me from being too down as I pulled the weeds for Gram Gram. Arcanine would be occupied.

 

This week was already taking forever. It was good that I wasn’t feeling pretty chipper when I finally finished pulling all the weeds out of the ground, wiping a bit of sweat from my brow as I stood up and hefted the basket of weeds in to my arms I headed out through the back gate where an alley held all the trash bins for Gram Grams richie-rich street.

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Some rich person had obviously not wanted to have to haul the trash to the front of the street so they had an alleyway built instead.

 

As I pushed the back gate door open and headed for the bins I stilled.

 

The bins were shifting.

 

“Rat! Raticate!” A heard a voice hiss out from behind me. A Rattata came out from behind the bin in front of me, and then two, and then four.

 

I sighed turning around.

 

Rattata were cute. So were Raticate…

 

But Raticate and Rattata were aggressive little fuckers when it came to food. I took in the leader of this little band of troublemakers.

 

“Listen. I’m just throwing these weeds away. You can go back to doing what you like but if you attack me, you aren’t going to like what happens next.” I told them firmly but unfortunately, it was no good.

 

I had accidentally put myself between the pack, and I was small.

 

I sighed. People got attacked by wild Rattata packs from time to time, thankfully unless you really pissed them off, they wouldn’t do much more than bite at your ankles until you ran away.

 

I even remember Meowth chasing a pack of the little guys away from the house once. They had been eating up the berries. I always felt bad.

 

Meowth and Mama had zero chill when it came to things he could eat, or the Berry Orchard respectively.

 

In the end I was calm. They were irritants, but not lethal.

 

Unfortunately for them, I was not in the mood to limp home for Chansey to heal me up.

 

“ARCANINE!” I called out as loud as I could as the Raticate seemed to be about to attack. My yell startled them all back for a moment but that was all. The heavy basket in my arms flipped and used as a shield while I waited.

 

I thought about releasing Gyarados, but well…

 

Since Arcanine was here, it was best to rely on her. She understood restraint… Mostly.

 

I could only imagine the rampage Gyarados would do if he came across a pack of Pokemon attacking me.

 

That might actually be a real disaster.

 

I yelped as I was pulled from my musing, as I raised my shield just in time to see a massive Raticate fang burst through the bottom of the weave tearing the basket practically in half as it barely stalled him. The rat just tried to Hyperfang me!

 

“You little shit!” I cursed at him kicking at him from around the basket. Knocking him away with a booted foot.

 

That would have hurt!

 

I growled at the pack that were all making their move on me. But unlike most of the people this pack probably ran into, I wasn’t going to run!

 

I had backup!

 

I grinned as suddenly something large leapt over the back wall crashing into the alleyway gravel in a blaze of flame.

 

“Arcanine. Be gentle.” I tell her as the pack turns to see what had just intruded.

 

I could see the exact moment that they realized what they were facing.

 

The Raticate made a squeak that was obviously of terror as he suddenly started trying to flee.

 

Arcanine, unfortunately for the rats, took this entire situation in one way.

 

Time to play.

 

I sighed as she leapt quickly grabbing the Raticate for a moment behind its head, a ‘kill’ move in a single leap.

 

Then she lifted it up, shook it a little and then dropped it back down as she leapt a dozen feet away and ready to battle some more.

 

Arcanine was literally playing with it.

 

“R-rat! Squeak!” It desperately squeaked as it regained its feet looking around confused. Obviously the wild rat was shocked it was still alive. Around my feet the little Ratattas were already fleeing running wildly away from the big dog now playing with their pack leader.

 

“Arcanine. Stop being mean. Hey you! Get out of here, and don’t try to attack people again! Or next time someone will kill you instead of letting you go.” I ordered much to Arcanines shock as she pleaded with me, giving a puppy stare and a whine in her throat.

 

“No, we don’t know where it has been, I’m already going to be washing your mouth out after this.” I tell her earning a stricken look from my girl.

 

The Raticate though was slowly backing away its fur in disarray, obviously terrified at what had just happened.

 

Good I was scared too! That fucker had big teeth! Even if he was kinda cute though. Real Capybara energy… I mean just one wouldn’t hurt… Or twelve? I could feel my hand slipping down to my belt Pokeballs just sitting there not being used look at their cute little tails… But in the end I hesitated and the Raticate vanished as the last of the Rattata squeaked at it to catch up.

 

It turned and practically quick attack dashed its way down the alley a blur of white as it disappeared at full speed.

 

Which honestly? Kinda slow. Six outta Ten.

 

“C’mon girl. Let’s make sure you didn’t catch anything. Chansey will need to give you a checkup. Honestly putting a rat in your mouth? A wild one?” I told her, earning a panicked look as I started to head back into the gate when Papa was suddenly there fists clenched like he was about to punch someone.

 

“Vicky! You alright, what happened?” He demanded his eyes roving over the alley way.

 

“Just some Rattata and an aggressive Raticate. All taken care of.” I offer with a shrug. It wasn’t very often that I had to deal with aggressive wild Pokemon, considering the noise my team tended to make, but I wasn’t exactly on the backfoot by a pack of angry rats.

 

I had a big ol’ Doggo.

 

Papa took a moment to make sure that I was right, before he suddenly pulled me into a hug and then dragged me back into the gate.

 

“Victor?” Gram Gram was there, hurrying at a much slower pace that Papa had probably raced over with.

 

“She is fine.” He called back with a tightening of his grip on me. I threw a thumbs up from around Papa as well.

 

“Thank Arceus, what happened? Vicky my girl, you alright?” Gram Gram asked as she checked me over. I gave her a happy smile.

 

“Fine! Your basket got ripped up though. Sorry.” I offered I had dropped the Basket after Papa had grabbed me so It was laying in a mess in the alley.

 

“Just some Rattata, Mother.” Papa offered with a heated look.

 

“Tsk! Damn those Jennys! They are supposed to make sure wild packs don’t wander right into town! My Granddaughter could have been hurt! I’m gonna-”

 

“It’s okay Gram Gram. It was just bad luck. But I doubt they will be back around. Arcanine scared them good.” I chirped a bit, but that didn’t seem to help.

 

“Of course dear. But really Victor! You work with Jenny, you had better give them a piece of my mind when you see her next!”

 

“Of course Mother. I’m not pleased either. I’ll talk to Jenny today.” Papa said with a scowl as he continued to hold me tightly.

 

“It was just some Rattata? They were just digging through the trash. It’s not really that big a deal?” I asked

 

“Vicky. Wild Pokemon attacks are serious no matter what Pokemon is doing the attack! Especially in town! What happens if they attack a child… A much younger child?” Papa asked and I really didn’t have a retort for that. That Hyperfang would have… Well a little kid would have been messed up healing is pretty crazy here, but that would have been a nasty wound to deal with especially if it hit an artery or something I guess…

 

“At least that pack probably won’t try to attack anyone again. Not after Arcanine spooked them.” I offered which Papa snorted at.

 

“That’s the truth. There aren’t many wild Pokemon that would forget a meeting with your girl.” He said as he threw a smile towards Arcanine who was once more looking pleased.

 

“Still I want to call that Jenny! They are supposed to be keeping the Pokemon from getting this wild. And where were you?” Gram Gram asked turning to Persian who had slunk outside to sit near Gram Grams feet. “Not much use were you huh? A bunch of rats attacking my Grandchild and you were napping in the sun!”

 

“Perrr.” Persian offered with an innocent look which wasn’t helped by his naturally aggressive face.

“Pfeh. Lazy cat. Letting the rats build up around my home.” She grumbled at him, ignoring his attempts to look innocent.

 

“Aww Persian is fine Gram Gram. I don’t think that pack was from around here. They looked like they were traveling around, so they were probably not here long. I’m sure Persian would have helped out.” I said throwing Persian a wink which he gave me a kitty smile in return.

 

Of course Gram Gran wasn’t buying it for a moment, as she scoffed before once more pushing forward to hug me.

 

“Silly girl, you should be more careful. A pack of rats like that could have…Even if they aren’t likely to kill you my Girl, they can still injure you!” Gram Gram stopped before sighing. “You are expected to learn a lot on your Journey especially how to be more careful. You have strong Pokemon Granddaughter, but please. Be more careful for our sake, if not your own.” She whispered into my head for a moment.

 

“I try to always be careful, Arcanine was here, and so was Gyarados if I was in any danger. Doubt they would have had any fight in them if I released my sweetie.” I say with a grin which caused Gram Gram to frown a bit before she scoffed.

 

“Good. If it’s ever a choice between your safety then you don’t hesitate for a moment.” Gram Gram told me firmly before she started dragging our little group inside.

 

I spent the rest of the new hour spending time with Gram Gram as we chattered about simple things, Persian napping in my lap as we ate cookies and chocolate milk.

 

Gram Gram was in full comfort mode, which was nice, cause no weeding.

 

Arcanine went back to dancing, while Papa went out to speak to Jenny about the Rattata pack. I doubted they would cause any more trouble, but it was what we were supposed to do if ever we were attacked by Wild Pokemon in the city. Apparently.

 

Gram Gram didn’t have me do any more weeding before I went home, and she never brought up Gyarados, but I could see the way her eyes would sometimes angle down to the lone Pokeball on my belt.

 

Whatever she was thinking she didn’t share, but she did give me a strong hug as Papa finally came back. Driving home with Arcanine happily chasing the car was fun. At least this time Papa didn’t try to race her and get in trouble with Jenny.

 

—-

 

“Freedom!” I cried out as I woke up a week after coming home, and finally free from my grounding.

 

I jumped out of bed ignoring how Pillow was grumbling at me from his Pillow. My new pillow Mama had bought for me still felt weird, but at least it wasn’t covered in Growlithe hair all the time.

 

Listen the little bastard was more stubborn than any Pokemon I had ever met. After a week of fighting over my pillow he won.

 

I took the L.

 

Racing into the bathroom to get ready I was out almost as quickly racing down the halls skidding on my socks into the kitchen. Wet hair still dripping behind me which I ignored with the grace of ten year olds everywhere.

 

“After ten thousand years I’m free!” I cry out to Mama and Papa who were both sitting in the kitchen.

 

“Ten thousand years is it?” Mama offered flatly as she pointed a spatula at me, “I’ll ground you for ten thousand years alright!”

 

“Noooo!” I whined as I slipped into my seat. “You caaaaan’t!”

 

Mama huffed before slipping a plate of breakfast out for me. “When are you leaving?” Mama asked after a bit of all of us eating.

 

“After Breakfast. I need to get to Saffron, and face Sabrina!”

 

“Alright. Finish breakfast, we want to talk to you before you run.” Papa said, patting me on the head as he took a sip of his coffee and Mama and Papa shared a look to each other.

 

That didn’t look good. Serious looks between adults could mean trouble, but I nodded.

 

Wasn’t like I could refuse.

 

I ate my breakfast while shooting suspicious looks at my parents as they both obviously had something planned, when I finally cleaned my plate Mama took it to clean as Papa sighed.

 

“Alright Vicky. We’ve had the week to think about everything. Obviously we aren’t going to stop your Journey. You are doing… You are making us very proud of how you are handling things. I can’t wait to see you in the League Stadium in a few months.” Papa said with a smile.

 

“But you still did something bad, even if it all worked out in the end. Even if you were right in some crazy way.” Mama cut in. “Not that I am not very proud of you, but this Journey, it’s meant to be more than just… Fun. You are supposed to learn what it means to be an adult, and that means. Knowing when you are doing something dangerous. Even if you were lucky.”

 

“Magikarp was never dangerous. Neither was Gyarados.”

 

“This Gyarados… Potentially isn’t dangerous.” Papa added. “I know you understand that some Pokemon need a lot of work, a lot of training to be safe. You are young Vicky. We weren’t sure you were ready for that sort of Pokemon, even if we knew you liked them.”

 

“So we gave you a rule, something we expected you to respect to stay away from them… Just, imagine what it would have been if that Gyarados had evolved and was like all the other Gyarados? What if he attacked you? You could have been really seriously hurt, and since you are traveling alone-”

“I’m not alone! I have my team. And Chansey!” I interrupted Mama but she nodded gently.

 

“Yes, which is one of the reasons we are so proud of you. You had your whole Journey all planned out before you even started. We weren’t sure why you wanted a Chansey so much when you first brought it up, but there is no doubt in our minds that it was just another one of your little brilliant moments.” Mama offered smiling as she pulled me into a hug for a moment.

 

“But we still worry. We will always worry, and so Vicky. Here is a new rule for you. Be careful.” Mama whispered into my ear as she held me tightly. “Don’t take risks. Please.”

 

I held still because I could feel Mama’s tears on my temple.

 

“Okay.” I answered what else could I say? I hugged Mama back although I made sure not to squeeze too hard.

 

I was pretty strong.

 

“Vicky. I know you like to think the Journey is a fun adventure, but it can also be a dangerous one. So please daughter of mine. Use your head so you can always come home safe and sound.” Papa offered standing up from his chair and joining Mama and I’s hug.

 

I sighed. Would I capture Magikarp again? Absolutely. He didn’t deserve to be alone, but maybe I would have brought him home and done more to make Mama and Papa realize he wasn’t dangerous.

 

Ah. I suppose, this was me realizing I needed to start being ‘mature’ a little more, and ‘childish’ a little less…

 

Well maybe only a liiiiittle less.

 

—–

 

Considering that Arcanine had spent the week at a very low level of exercise, I didn’t jump onto Dragonite, to fly to Saffron.

 

“Ready girl?” I asked as I finished fitting the saddle. Her shimmy of happiness told me she was especially when she pushed her side up against me, basically telling me to stop playing and get on.

 

I walked past her, giving her a scritch as I walked up to Mama and Papa.

 

“You’ll take care of him?” I asked quietly. Dratini had decided he wanted to stay here. I understood it, he had a whole flock of Milotic to play with every day, and he never had to go into a Pokeball, and just like the Milotic he found himself quite often sliding into the berry trees to eat and nap.

 

He loved it.

 

I understood that, even with how much I tried to keep him out of his ball that he was happier here. At least for now. The training he had received with Koga had lit a fire in him sure, but he had also understood that real battles wouldn’t be happening for a while yet, he was too young.

 

So he was gonna stay and do some growing.

 

“We will take good care of Dratini.” Mama offered smiling as Dratini had climbed up Mama while I had saddled Arcanine, and was now rubbing his head against her cheek.

 

He had learned swiftly to suck up to Mama to get treats.

 

I was so proud!

 

“Make sure you call us as often as possible.” Papa said messing my hat up causing it to drop over my eyes which I gave him a glare for.

 

“Of course!”

“Then you are officially ungrounded. Go on then Vicky. Finish your journey.”

 

“Umm! That’s the plan!” I chirp then turn towards Mama for a hug and then I look to my Baby. “I’m gonna miss you little buddy. Don’t worry though. We will see eachother again soon!” I offer pulling him into a cheek rub before I fight back a sniffle.

 

I raced away, because if I stayed any longer I was going to start crying! Leaving my baby Dratini! It was too much! I hopped onto Arcanine, and within a second she was gone. No hesitation she raced off into the forest in a static filled blurr. Nothing would catch us until we made it to Saffron.

 

Arcanine howled as she ran, all the energy of a week stuck cooped up was too much for her, and there was nothing she loved more than to just move.

 

—-

 

I barely managed to keep Arcanine from running right through Saffron as we reached the city, only with a promise of a battle did she finally accept stopping even if she was practically prancing as I continued to ride her through town

 

I couldn’t help but chuckle at all the attention she was getting.

 

My silly dancing puppy was catching everyone’s eyes as we galloped through the streets of Saffron following signs towards the Gym.

 

Honestly I didn’t even need the signs, because Saffron Gym was massive. Tons of people were walking in and out of the Gym, and I had to stop myself from giggling as a lot of them looked like weirdos. Most of them were walking around staring at spoons or were arguing with each other with fingers against temples like they were trying to have psychic battles.

 

It was hilarious!

 

Giggling as I walked Arcanine up to the Gym I finally hopped off her, and quickly pulled off her saddle letting her stretch out a bit although she barely stopped wiggling and dancing as I returned her to the Pokeball.

 

It was time… Hopefully Sabrina wouldn’t turn me into a doll.

 

“I don’t do that anymore.” A voice right behind my ear startled

 

I instantly spun, using my expert Ninja knife hand skills to be on guard against attack.

 

Only, there was nothing. No one was close enough to have spoken.

 

“Creepy.” I muttered aloud as I felt something was definitely watching me.

 

“Rude.” The voice spoke once again behind my ear. Only now that I was searching I realized my instincts were wrong. It wasn’t from behind my ear.

 

It was in my head.

 

“So is invading someone’s brain.” I retorted instantly, turning back to the entrance of the Gym to see the doors open.

 

“How can I invade something that is wide open?” Sabrina spoke aloud this time walking out of the Gym with an air of perfect control. Honestly I wasn’t even sure she was actually walking and not just levitating herself forward. The casualness of her movement was just that sharp.

 

“That sounds a little insulting, but I’ll be the bigger girl, and let it pass. Sabrina.”

 

“Good. It is pointless to complain regardless. You came for a challenge, and so you will get one.” She spoke simply but then she stopped as if waiting for something. I could see the way her eyes roved around me looking for something that wasn’t there.

 

“You are late, and alone.”

 

I glanced behind me and around a bit before looking at her. “Yeah? That’s what it looks like? Also I’m not late. I showed up exactly when I wanted!”

 

“No. You were supposed to be here a month ago… At least according to my vision.” Sabrina watched me with a hyperfocus in her purple literally glowing eyes for a while which I did what I always did when people said wacky shit.

 

I shrugged. “Kay.”

 

“Annoying.”

 

“That’s my line.” I grumble at her earning the first shift in her facial features as her eyes narrowed a little in irritation.

 

“I take it back. Dolls are perhaps a fitting punishment.”

 

I narrowed my own eyes because I was a master at fucking with people… “Two outta Ten. Creepy jokes can be fun, but they are best when they still have some humor.” I tell her calling her bluff cause I was pretty sure that was Sabrina’s attempt at a joke.

 

Her eyes shifted to surprise after a moment as she seemed to take in what I said.

 

“There are creepy jokes?” She asked with a blink.

 

I blinked back.

 

“Haunter is more of a surprise gag kinda guy isn’t he? You don’t know much about creepy jokes do you?”

 

Her eyes narrowed instantly and my feet were lifted from the concrete in an instant as I was tugged up the final stairs to the Gyms landing. Sabrina dragged me rather close.

 

“I do not know the ‘Creepy Jokes’ teach me.”

 

I considered it. Hemmed a bit reached up and played with my hat for a bit. I still had some time before I really had the pressure of hitting Blaine and Giovanni…

 

In the end I had to ask myself a question. Did I really want to teach the scariest girl… Okay second scariest girl fight me! In Kanto about how to actually use her creepiness instead of just throwing it around like a hose in a water balloon fight?

 

I blinked, scoffed at myself and bonked my head.

 

“Duh Vicky.” I rolled my eyes earning a pleased look from Sabrina who had seemingly been reading my mind the whole damn time..

 

Creepy!

 

But I smiled, and I could tell my face grew extra sharp. “Let me teach you everything I know about gap moe, and how creepy can be an extremely useful tool.” I inform her, earning a far too serious nod from the girl who really was too much like a kid trapped in an older womans body..

 

Which sorta matched me in a way. Huh.

 

“Please Senpai.” She asked with a bowed head. Ack! My heart! How the hell could I refuse my cute Kohai! Did she steal that line out of my head!? My Creepy Kohai couldn’t possibly be this Cute! I thought with a giggle as I grabbed her arm in mine.

 

“Let me teach you the ways!”