☀ 04

[hispalette]

Do Americans celebrate Christmas for this long? The tree's back up in our house. [and of course he's suspicious, who wouldn't be after all of what happened? of course, Red being Red, his curiosity overcomes him. he relents after a few minutes, frown pursed across his lips, and gently sets the phone receiver on the kitchen counter. you can hear his

Comments

B

[noneed_2worry]

[And here comes Dawn with Piplup cheerfully riding on top of her head.]

"Wow, another Pikachu! And it knows all the same attacks as Ash's!"

[hispalette]

[at the sight of the new Pokemon, Pikachu looks up and begins to scamper back to Red, hopping into his arms and onto his shoulder where it studies Piplup.]

It isn't uncommon. Volt Tackle and Thunderbolt are essential moves for a Pikachu.

[rather conspicuously, he also begins to stare at the little blue penguin on Dawn's head.]

[noneed_2worry]

[Dawn notices the staring and blushes a little in embarrassment.]

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't even introduce myself! My name's Dawn, and this is my Pokemon Piplup!"

[Red receives a cheerful little 'pip pip' and a wave from the penguin atop her head~]

[hispalette]

[if he had his old hat, he'd tip the brim to her. instead, have a polite nod.]

Red. [he wags a thumb at the electric mouse on his shoulder, who is by this point leaning forward and chirping a Piii~ at Piplup in greeting.] I've never seen a Pokemon like that before. Is it an Ice type?

[noneed_2worry]

[Piplup smiles and pips back at Pikachu~]

"Nice to meet you, Red! And actually, Piplup's a Water type. It's one of the starter Pokemon for new trainers in the Sinnoh region."

[hispalette]

[oh, like a Squirtle! he nods in understanding. Pikachu continues to coo, but Red doesn't seem to mind as he talks over it.]

That explains it. I've never been outside of Kanto and certain parts of Johto before.

[noneed_2worry]

[Yeah, all trainers are used to their Pokemon just chattering away at each other while they talk shop.]

"My friend Ash is from Kanto, but I've never been outside Sinnoh myself. Actually, I just turned ten and got Piplup this year... well, before I came to Mayfield, anyway."

[hispalette]

Most people usually are that age when they apply for their license. I was eleven when I got mine.

How's your training been going?

[noneed_2worry]

Actually, I was in kind of a slump before I came here... I only managed to win one contest ribbon. But I guess I do pretty well after that - Ash came here from later than I did, and he kind of let a few things slip. But I'm still going to train really hard while I'm here! It won't happen for me at all if I don't put in the effort, right?

[hispalette]

[contest ribbon? wasn't Daisy into that Coordinator stuff?]

That's right. Encouragement from others is nice from time to time, but in the end, you're the only person you can rely on. You can only get strong through dedication.

[then, an idea. his eyes never leave Dawn's, though he's silently considering Piplup beside her.]

How strong is your Pokemon?

[noneed_2worry]

You want to have a practice battle?

[hispalette]

[oh bby, you know how to say all the right words to him.]

You wouldn't mind?

[noneed_2worry]

"As long as Piplup's okay with it! What do you think, Piplup?"

[And a few more enthusiastic pip sounds signal his agreement as he jumps down from Dawn's shoulder.]

"All right! Looks like we've got a battle, then!"

[hispalette]

[at the same time, Pikachu hops off of Red's shoulder and lands on all fours on the ground.]

One against one, then.

[he takes several steps back, giving them ample room between them.]

Go all out if you want.

[noneed_2worry]

"All right, Piplup, let's show him what we're made of! Bubblebeam!"

[Piplup nods, vaulting into the air. And now there's a stream of bubbles headed directly for Pikachu!]

[hispalette]

[electricity crackling at its cheeks, Pikachu evades the bubbles by adeptly feinting left and right. right as the last one barely misses him by an inch, Red calls out:]

Quick Attack.

[--and Pikachu begins bounding at Piplup so fast that it becomes a white blur, intending to tackle it.]