CHINGUX 2014: can you diglett? (1/1) for onyu
Title: can you diglett?
Author: astrou
Recipient: onyu
Pairing/Focus: baeksoo // baekhyun-centric
Rating: pg
Warnings: pokemon terms (pokemon names, couple of locations), a scattered but minimal amount of really bad pokemon puns (including the title) ((sorry))
Length: 7.9k
Summary: byun baekhyun embarks on his pokemon journey and finds a little more than he bargained for along the way.
(thank you, onyu for the lovely prompts. i had a great time pursuing a guilty pleasure while writing this! It’s mostly based on the anime over the game for comprehension purposes?? and also because ev training will never not be confusing. i genuinely hope you enjoy!)
START NEW GAME…?
“Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Lee! People call me the Pokémon Prof! This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon! For some people, Pokémon are pets. Other use them for fights. Myself-”
“Professor, you don’t need to introdu-”
“MYSELF… I study Pokémon as a profession. First, are you a boy or a girl?”
“I-what?” A look of disbelief washes over Baekhyun’s face. “Are you serious? Really? My gender? You’ve changed my diaper and you’re asking me for my gender. Wow. This is incredible. Amazing.”
Professor Lee clears his throat purposefully.
Baekhyun glowers. “Boy.”
The smile on the Professor’s face is infuriatingly sunny as he claps his hands together. “Then what is your name?”
“You know my name. You-fine. Fine.” The smile that appears on Baekhyun’s face is anything but genuine. “My name’s Baekhyun.”
“Right!” Professor Lee claps his hands in confirmation. “So your name is Baekhyun! You know my grandson, right, Baekhyun? He’s been your rival since you were a baby. Erm, what is his name again?”
“His name?” Baekhyun repeats, eyes flattened into an expression of disbelief. “Your grandson’s name. You’re asking me what your grandson’s name is.”
Professor Lee looks at him expectantly, smiling.
“I don’t know,” Baekhyun begins with the workings of a smirk. “Douchebag? Assfart? Idiot? Ah, yes, I remember now… Sir Dickless of-”
“Baekhyun,” the Professor says sternly, now massaging the crease between his brows with much futility. “You know this is protocol.”
“Fine. Kyungsoo. My rival’s name is Do Kyungsoo, supreme jerkwad of-”
“THAT’S RIGHT! I remember now! His name is Kyungsoo!”
“Professor, I just really want my Pokémon-”
“Baekhyun! Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon awaits! Let’s go!”
They stand there idly, Professor Lee with his fist outstretched-an uncanny resemblance to Superman-and Baekhyun with his arms crossed, looking unimpressed in his backwards cap and Pokéball-less fanny pack.
“What,” Baekhyun says blankly. “What’s supposed to be happening right now?”
Professor Lee doesn’t move. “We’re using our imaginations, Baekhyun. How do you expect to catch any Pokémon if you can’t even use your imagination?”
Baekhyun lets out a withering sigh and slowly outstretches his fist too. “I’m so excited,” he says not-very-excitedly. “Yay!”
“Good,” Professor Lee says with a wide smile. “Now it’s time for you to wake up from your dream, Baekhyun! You’re going to be late!”
☆☆
“I’M NOT LATE,” Baekhyun wails as he bursts into an upright position in his bed. The sun is shining through his windows and he can spot his dead alarm clock out of the corner of his eyes, Mister Mime’s analog arms frozen at 5:25 AM.
This is Baekbeom’s fault, Baekhyun notes immediately. If his brother wasn’t so adamant about utilizing natural energy, Baekhyun wouldn’t have woken up late on the most important day of his life. He can hear the soft snoring of Baekbeom’s Pikachu, their main source of energy, at the foot of Baekhyun’s bed.
He grimaces. There’s a lurking feeling of immense dread at the base of his stomach as he contemplates checking what time it really is. Professor Lee had instructed the new trainers-to-be to arrive at the laboratory at 9:00 AM sharp.
“Pikachu!” Baekbeom’s voice calls from the hallway. “There you are, buddy-oh. Baekhyun? What are you doing here?” Baekbeom leans against the doorway, expression inquisitive as his gaze falls on Baekhyun’s state of disarray. “It’s already half past nine. Don’t you have a place to be?” he inquires, gesturing plainly to the outfit Baekhyun had meticulously picked out the night before, sitting on his desk.
Baekhyun lets out a low groan and buries his face in his hands. He can barely process his brother’s exasperated nagging, much too preoccupied with lugging his body out of bed to change into his clothes. He tugs a red cap on backwards, trying in vain to hide the mass of bed hair currently assuming a mind of its own atop Baekhyun’s head.
“Out,” he says blankly, pushing at Baekbeom’s arms lifelessly all while pushing a still-sleeping Pikachu across the ground with his socked foot.
“Baekhyun!” Baekbeom frowns. “This is no way to treat a Pokémon! Get your feet away from your Pokémon brother! How do you expect to be a respectable trainer if you can’t even respect the world’s most incredible creation?”
“Baekhyun!” he mimics with a huff before nudging at Pikachu. “Oi. Oi. Wake up, you useless lump.”
Pikachu’s ears twitch as he crawls into an upright position, rubbing at his eyes blearily with his paws. He looks up at Baekhyun and then at Baekbeom and then back at Baekhyun. The disarming smile on Pikachu’s face is the absolute worst part of Baekhyun’s morning, because it only takes two seconds before Pikachu greets his trainer’s baby brother with an electrifying handshake.
☆☆
PLAYER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Byun Baekhyun
TRAINER AGE: Ten Eighteen Ten EIGHTEEN (“I’M NOT TEN, PROFESSOR.”) (“But all Pokémon trainers start at ten…”) (“I’m not ten.”)
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Not available!
☆☆
“Oh no,” Professor Lee says as sadly as he can. Which, Baekhyun bitterly notes, is actually not as sad as desired. “It appears we have run out of starter Pokémon. What a true pity.”
“Are you doing this because I refuse to let you lie to people about my age?” Baekhyun demands.
“You woke up late, Baekhyun,” the Professor chastises with a shake of his head. “I tried my best but I had to give starters to the dutiful trainers who came on time. Your friend, Chanyeol, happened to get the last one…”
“I can’t believe you gave Chanyeol a Pokémon,” Baekhyun says in disbelief. “Who would trust Chanyeol with a breathing creature? Who would trust Chanyeol with an inanimate object?”
“Chanyeol, you see, came on time,” the Professor replies wisely, stroking his chin and nodding firmly. Baekhyun suppresses a sigh. “It’s no worry though. My colleague, Professor Yang, over in the Unova Region sent me a Pokémon indigenous to Unova! We’ll see if it’s to your liking, although… beggars can’t be choosers.”
The Professor tosses a Pokéball against the ground. A single beam of light bursts from the capsule until what appears to be a tiny trash bag waddles in front of them gleefully.
Baekhyun instinctively takes a step back.
“What,” he sputters out. “What is this thing.”
☆ TRUBBISH, THE TRASH BAG POKÉMON. TRUBBISH PREFER TO LIVE IN DIRTY PLACES LIKE GARBAGE DUMPS. IT IS SAID THEY WERE BORN WHEN A CHEMICAL REACTION OCCURRED BETWEEN AN ABANDONED TRASH BAG AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE ☆
“Perfect,” the Professor says with a satisfied smile. “This is Trubbish, Baekhyun. Isn’t she a beaut?”
“Professor,” Baekhyun says desperately. “Professor.” He realizes it’s his own fault for coming late-for having huge ambitions about picking between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle-but this… is a trash bag. Byun Baekhyun has his own pride and dignity and he isn’t about to let it get squashed by a bouncy little bag of trash.
Trubbish hops across the tiled floor with an unmeasured glee. The faint smell of garbage lingers in the lab.
“Oh, Baekhyun! There’s nothing wrong with Trubbish!”
“Professor,” he repeats earnestly.
Professor Lee sighs exaggeratedly, rolling his eyes before returning Trubbish to its Pokéball. “I don’t like playing favorites, Baekhyun,” he says with a frown. He sets the Pokéball back into its designated spot, jamming his hands into the pockets of his white lab coat just moments after. He paces the lab in contemplation, hmming contemplatively. “But I suppose I’ll make an exception, since you are an exceptional case. I don’t think we’ve had a trainer start this late in quite some time.”
Baekhyun’s expression brightens considerably before darkening almost immediately after. “Eighteen is a perfectly fine age to embark on a Pokémon adventure,” he mumbles defensively.
“Yes, yes,” the Professor says absentmindedly, waving Baekhyun’s sulking off with a flippant gesturing of his hand. “I suppose since you are behind the other trainers in your age group…”
“Not every trainer starts at age ten, Professor!”
“Ash Ketchum started at age ten,” Professor Lee replies sagely. “He is the epitome of Pokémon trainer.”
“Ash Ketchum was rumored to be immortal,” Baekhyun sputters in response.
“He wasn’t immortal, Baekhyun. He simply wore sun screen and lotion every day. His perfect complexion was almost as famous as his Pokémon adventures. Youth is in the skin these days… it’s much too late for your poor Professor here, but no worries. I’ve heard from many that I look naturally robust and-”
Baekhyun’s expression is unimpressed. The Professor tapers off and clears his throat uncomfortably.
“Anyways,” he says with a feeble smile. “I do have one other Pokémon that I could give to you.”
“You’re the absolute best, Profes-”
“Though I do think Trubbish is a perfectly fine companion for a strapping young lad like you.”
“Professor.”
Professor Lee shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly before procuring another Pokéball from his collection. He tosses the capsule to the ground again and steps back as the familiar beam of light shoots out, illuminating the silhouette of none other than-
☆ EEVEE, THE EVOLUTION POKÉMON. EEVEE IS A UNIQUE POKÉMON THAT CAN ADAPT TO ITS ENVIRONMENT BY CHANGING ITS FORM AND ABILITIES WHEN EVOLVING ☆
“An Eevee?” Baekhyun says, lips curling into a wide smile as he crouches down to greet the bundle of fur.
“Incredible observation skills,” the Professor murmurs dryly. “This Eevee might be difficult to get close to at first considering its circumstances, but I have faith that your annoyingly stubborn personality will prevail in the end.”
“Circumstances?” Baekhyun repeats, pointedly ignoring the part about his stubbornness.
“Eevee here was abandoned outside the Pokémon Center in Pewter City,” Professor Lee explains, smiling fondly at the Pokémon as it looks around uncertainly at its surroundings. “He was nursed back to health but couldn’t adapt after efforts were made to return him to the wild. Eevee is sweet. He’ll take some time but I think you two will make a great matc-ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?”
Baekhyun’s too busy drifting off into his own world, contemplating what sort of evolution he wants for his Eevee. He has to be proactive in his planning if he wants to catch up to the other trainers-namely Kyungsoo, because Kyungsoo’s probably well on his way to the Pokémon League, that piece of Shinx.
Professor Lee smacks his forehead audibly, letting out a harried sigh. “I’m beginning to think even eighteen might be too soon for you, Baekhyun…”
☆☆
ONE: TO PEWTER CITY!!
“Alright, Eevee,” Baekhyun begins with a determined nod. Eevee pads behind him hesitantly, eyeing Baekhyun with much apprehension. “My name’s Baekhyun, Byun Baekhyun, and I might seem small, but I’m actually the most powerful man in the world. I know, hard to believe, but I wouldn’t lie to you. We’re blood brothers now. You and I, we ride and die together-oh, oh, uh, wait, I didn’t mean actually die. Sorry. You look really scared.”
“Eevee!” Eevee whines indignantly, not budging from its spot.
“Come on!” Baekhyun frowns. “I didn’t mean actual death! I wouldn’t let that happen. I mean, look at me. The world would be in mourning for forever if someone like me died. I’m beautiful-oh, well, I mean, you too. I wouldn’t let you die either because you’re also beautiful. We’re similarly beautiful, you see. The world needs people and Pokémon like us. We make the world go ‘round.”
Eevee looks unconvinced.
“Come on,” Baekhyun repeats. “We’re bros now, Eevee. Like, for example. You see a really cute Flareon at the Pokémon Center or something? You feel free to use me as your wingman. I am at your beck and call. We are true ride or die brothers from now on.” Baekhyun crouches down in front of Eevee and extends a fist. “Pound it, Eevee. No turning back.”
“Still as insane as ever, huh,” a familiar voice calls out from behind.
Baekhyun recognizes this voice all too well and Eevee picks up on the immediate grimace that flickers across his trainer’s face. He tilts his head to the side, looking mildly concerned as he nudges Baekhyun’s still extended fist with his nose.
“Shh,” Baekhyun whispers. “Maybe if we don’t move, he’ll go away.”
“So this is your starter?” None other than Do Kyungsoo gracefully pushes Baekhyun aside to take his place in front of Eevee. Kyungsoo is smiling, looking pleasantly in awe as he tilts his head. “You’re cute.”
Baekhyun grunts as he tries to steady his footing, having narrowly avoided landing on his butt thanks to Kyungsoo. “Go away,” he says with a huff. “Eevee and I are having a special trainer-to-Pokémon moment here and douchebags are unfortunately not invited.”
“That’s a pity,” Kyungsoo says mildly. “You uninvited yourself from your own bonding session?”
“Ha,” Baekhyun says dryly. “What are you even doing here? Are you stalking me? Following me? You’re obsessed with me, aren’t you? Showing up after years to proclaim your love for me, right?”
“Please don’t flatter yourself so readily.” With a measured cautiousness, Kyungsoo reaches one hand out tentatively, stopping halfway as though to wait for some sort of indication that Eevee is okay with being touched. The Pokémon looks at Kyungsoo warily, gaze locked with his before Eevee carefully nudges at Kyungsoo’s hovering hand with his head. It’s an invitation, and Kyungsoo smiles as he pats Eevee on the head gently. “I heard from gramps that you finally started your journey so I thought I’d say hello,” he says matter-of-factly, retracting his hand after some time to peer at Baekhyun. “Pewter City, right?”
Baekhyun fails to hide his jealousy at how quickly his Eevee and Kyungsoo bonded. “What? Oh, yeah, yeah, Pewter City. To demolish the gym leader there, naturally.”
“Naturally,” Kyungsoo supplies noncommittally. He gets up from his crouching position, brushing himself off as Baekhyun follows suit. “I’m going to join you. You don’t mind, right?”
“Nah, I don’t min-what?” Baekhyun freezes, narrowing his eyes at Kyungsoo exaggeratedly. “Yes, I mind, and no, you can’t!” He emphasizes his blatant disapproval with a couple of huge arm gestures that Kyungsoo coolly ignores.
“Isn’t it lonely traveling by yourself though?” Kyungsoo inquires with a tilt of his head. “Sounds like a hassle.”
“Well, it isn’t-”
“I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to Eevee.” With a pointed stare, Kyungsoo juts his chin in Eevee’s general direction. The Pokémon seems comfortable with Kyungsoo, pawing at one of his shoelaces with a muted sort of glee. “Eevee seems fine with my company.”
“Traitor,” Baekhyun hisses.
Kyungsoo looks entirely unassuming standing next to Baekhyun in his typical attire of black on black on black. His hair is tussled, a critical component of Kyungsoo’s perpetual state of categorized chaos. As though on cue, Kyungsoo secures a black hat over his head. But Baekhyun knows better than anyone else that Kyungsoo is much, much more than what meets the eye. He isn’t suspicious so much as he is deflated that his ultimate rival is basically inviting himself to babysit Baekhyun.
“This isn’t how rivalries work,” Baekhyun whines petulantly, kicking at the dirt childishly. “This is where you’re supposed to challenge me to a Pokémon battle. And then you’re supposed to win and cackle maniacally and have some stupid catchphrase like, ‘haha smell ya’ later, Baekloser.’ If you aren’t here to push me into the dirt, how am I supposed to fuel my burning desire to demolish everything you’ve accomplished?!”
Unfortunately for Baekhyun, Kyungsoo is no longer listening, already walking ahead on the beaten path with Eevee-the traitor-padding behind him obediently. He contemplates throwing a pebble, or, better yet, a Caterpie at Kyungsoo’s head but instead sucks in a breath and stalks behind the worst rival in the world and the worst Pokémon in the world.
“Did you get your Pokéballs and Pokédex?”
“Yeah,” Baekhyun replies sullenly. “But my Pokédex doesn’t work properly.”
“What do you mean?”
A Weevil slinks by at that exact moment and Baekhyun thinks he might have been excited if he wasn’t bent on only catching the finest, strongest Pokémon to build the perfect team. He pulls his Pokédex out of his back pocket and flips it open as a demonstration.
“WEEVIL,” Baekhyun’s Pokédex says robotically, “IS OBVIOUSLY A POKÉMON BUT YOU BETTER FIGURE OUT WHAT IT’S LIKE ON ITS OWN, IDIOT.”
“Oh,” Kyungsoo says dully. “That is a problem.”
“I think Professor Lee is pranking me,” Baekhyun explains with a sigh. “He’s really holding this whole ‘eighteen and starting a journey’ thing against me.”
“You were always a late bloomer.”
Baekhyun parts his lips to utter some choice words, stopping himself only when he realizes Eevee’s still there, watching them primly. It’s instinct how he purses his lips together, gaze darting from Eevee to an expectant Kyungsoo. Eevee is technically his responsibility and Baekhyun doesn’t want to be responsible for teaching him bad manners and bad words.
Not that… Eevee can really talk.
“Go away,” Baekhyun says instead, smiling sweetly.
“No thank you,” Kyungsoo says in response, smiling just as brightly.
The tall grass and never-ending expanse of foliage before him is suddenly all the more exhausting. Baekhyun is unsure if he’ll be able to survive to Pewter City when Kyungsoo’s lingering like an annoying little piece of shi-
“Eevee!”
“Yes, son,” Baekhyun murmurs distantly. “This truly will be an adventure.”
Kyungsoo smiles faintly as he walks two steps behind Baekhyun.
☆☆
TWO: THE HEROES UNITE!!
(!!) You’ve found a diary in the Do household! It doesn’t look like it belongs to your rival, KYUNGSOO… Continue?
[A] Yes
[B] No
The town of Pallet is a small one. Our two heroes meet on a rainy afternoon at the tender age of infantile and incoherent. The matriarch of the Byun family cradles a red swaddle in her arms as she insists to her best friend, the once famed researcher, daughter of the venerable Professor Sooman Lee, that her son-Baekhyun-is sure to be a legend in his own right.
“It only makes sense,” she insists. “Our family’s got some real fighting blood, I swear! I mean-I don’t want to make it seem like I don’t think your Kyungsoo’s going to succeed but… Baekhyun. Baekhyun. I have so many high hopes for Baekhyun.”
Baekhyun lets out a hoarse wail as his mother bounces up and down excitedly, almost neglecting the baby in her arms.
“That’s exactly what you said about Baekbeom,” Kyungsoo’s mother says calmly, an amused smile on her lips as she rocks Kyungsoo back and forth. “You’ve been fueling quite the rivalry between Baekbeom and Seungsoo these days.”
“Competitive spirit! It’s good for strapping young gentlemen.” The grin on her face is a familiar one, lips forming an almost rectangle as her eyes crinkle ever so slightly. “Baekhyun’s going to be a Pokémon champion. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to hope that Kyungsoo can keep up.”
The two women sit in comfort, chattering amiably as the rain pours outside. The door to the house swings open and two young boys shiver as they trail mud and rainwater across the hardwood.
“Seungsoo and I were having a fake Pokémon battle and his fake Squirtle used a fake Rain Dance and now we’re drenched!” Baekbeom explains quickly before either mother has the opportunity to nag their respective sons.
“Byun Baekbeom! What kind of an example are you setting for your baby brother if you can’t even counter a Rain Dance? You go outside right now and use a fake Sunny Day or I’m sending you straight to your room!”
“I forfeit,” Seungsoo says quickly, before Baekbeom has the opportunity to act on his mother’s demands. He wanders over to his mom’s side, peering over her shoulders at a dormant Kyungsoo. “It’s too wet outside. Baekbeom can win this time around.”
“HEY,” Baekbeom yells. “DON’T GO EASY ON ME, DO SEUNGSOO. I CAN BEAT YOU FAIR AND SQUA-”
“If I go outside for five minutes so you can ‘beat me,’ will you be quiet? My brother’s sleeping.”
“Fine!”
“Fine.”
The two boys exit the house again, Seungsoo tearing himself away from his brother with much futility.
“Competitive spirit,” Baekhyun’s mother says again with a waggle of her brow. “Our boys will never run from a fight!”
(!!) The diary has more to it. Would you like to continue reading?
[A] Yes
[B] No
Baekhyun’s mother passes away on a warm summer day. The sun is bright and it embraces all who wander into its light. The ceremony is simple. No one wants to complicate the proceedings because they all know that the fiery-eyed woman whose optimism knew no end would have hated to hassle anyone.
Baekhyun is nine. Kyungsoo holds his hand tightly the entire time.
Baekbeom returns from his Pokémon journey to take care of his brother and to watch over the house while their father continues research in the Sinnoh region. It’s a sacrifice, everyone knows it, but Baekbeom never lets it show.
The twinkle in Baekhyun’s eyes dim that day. No one points it out. No one smothers him with their condolences and with their pity. It’s a quiet process, a commemoration of a woman who brought laughter and joy to a small community.
The day after, Baekhyun pretends that everything is okay. He goes to Professor Lee’s laboratory with Kyungsoo per usual to pester the elderly man into showing them Pokémon. He drops by the Do household to eat dinner with their family. He goes back home and watches his favorite cartoon about the ultimate Pokémon champion, Ash Ketchum, until he falls asleep on the couch and Baekbeom has to carry him to his bed.
When he turns ten years old, he forgoes embarking on his Pokémon journey with the rest of his like-aged peers. He claims it’s because he isn’t ready yet. It’s mostly because he’s scared, terrified, that he’ll take one step out of Pallet Town and never give himself a reason to come back-that he’ll fail to live up to the single legacy his mother used to insist was his for the claiming.
Kyungsoo doesn’t go that year either, not because he’s unprepared or scared, but because he doesn’t want Baekhyun to be alone.
The process repeats itself for years on end.
Kyungsoo and Baekhyun have an argument at sixteen about opportunities and baggage, about trusting oneself and about pursuing dreams. Kyungsoo leaves that same year to start his own journey.
It’s a quick process, again. Kyungsoo says goodbye to his family and leaves Pallet without telling anyone else.
He never says goodbye to Baekhyun.
(!!) There’s a little more! Keep reading?
[A] Yes
[B] No
Do Kyungsoo leaves Pallet to pursue a dream that was never his. Byun Baekhyun leaves Pallet as a tribute to his mother.
They’re both heroes in their own right.
☆☆
THREE: WATCH OUT FOR TALL GRASS!!
What Baekhyun notices during his sixth excruciatingly uncomfortable hour with Kyungsoo is that Kyungsoo doesn’t let his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs. He has a collection of six zipped up in a pocket he lets hang from a belt loop. Baekhyun knows this because Kyungsoo counts them every so often to make sure none of them have gone missing.
Their interactions are kept to a minimum, for the most part. Eevee pads between them timidly, peering up at them every few minutes to gauge their expressions.
Kyungsoo has always been more comfortable with silence than Baekhyun.
It’s just a little awkward considering there’s still an age-old argument left unresolved. Baekhyun isn’t the type of person to forget. He’s the type to linger, to cling onto everything until he’s resolved his issues in a manner he’s content with. And he isn’t content with the misunderstandings he’s been tending to for two years now. He isn’t content with Kyungsoo pretending nothing’s changed-all while Baekhyun can’t quite push out the constant stream of praise the people of Pallet had produced in regards to Kyungsoo’s burgeoning Pokémon journey. The journey, Baekhyun knows he shouldn’t think, that should have been his.
“You should level Eevee up,” Kyungsoo points out idly, hands still jammed into the pockets of his pants as he gazes back and forth. “Pewter’s a Rock type city. Don’t know if you’ll be able to find Grass and Ground types in the wild right now but you can start building a solid team.”
“I knew that,” Baekhyun mutters, despite how obvious it is that he didn’t. At all. Even Eevee throws Baekhyun an incredulous look to which Baekhyun promptly responds by sticking his tongue out maturely.
The on-and-off silence is honestly painful. There are plenty of questions running through Baekhyun’s mind but none of them are appropriate conversation starters for two people who seem more like strangers than anything else.
With Viridian City behind them considering its abandoned gym and subsequent lack of reason for Baekhyun or Kyungsoo to linger there, the party of three approaches Route 2 with Pewter City on their minds.
Baekhyun has little to no experience battling or training Pokémon. Pallet doesn’t have anything like this-it’s why so many young spirits leave it in hopes of pursuing excitement and adrenaline rushes. Still, he’s feeling a tiny bit confident despite his lack of knowledge and it might be because Kyungsoo’s with him.
Route 2 is nothing impressive. It’s an undefined path with grass that’s been trampled on by trainers before him trailblazing to the entrance of the Viridian Forest.
There are faint rustling noises all around though, most likely wild Pokémon scrounging through their natural environment in hopes of coming across scattered foods and other Pokémon-friendly things Baekhyun wouldn’t know anything about. He walks ahead of the group onto the trail, feeling particularly unthreatened by the sounds of Pokémon he can’t identify off the top of his head. He’s confident today.
It’s because Kyungsoo’s with him that Baekhyun feels all the more determined to do well.
Eevee, however, is a different story. The Pokémon is especially now, sticking close to Baekhyun’s heels to the extent of unintentionally tripping Baekhyun every few seconds. It isn’t difficult to see that Eevee is scared. He’s trembling from his ears to his paws, big brown eyes darting nervously from side-to-side as though anticipating a surprise attack.
“Hey,” Kyungsoo calls out softly. “Maybe you should put Eevee in his Pokéball for now.”
Before Baekhyun has the chance to contemplate the merit of Kyungsoo’s idea, however, the faint hissing of an unidentified patch of tall grass catches him off-guard. His fingers are clasped around Eevee’s Pokéball, prepared to return him-
A purple mouse-like creature leaps out of the grass, baring its teeth and leaning back onto its haunches.
☆ RATTATA, A FOREST POKÉMON. IT LIKES CHEESE, NUTS, FRUITS, AND BERRIES. IT ALSO COMES OUT INTO OPEN FIELDS TO STEAL FOOD FROM STUPID TRAVELERS ☆
Eevee scampers behind Baekhyun’s legs, peeking out from there with clear trepidation written across his features.
The Rattata approaches cautiously, standing its ground for the most part when it realizes that Eevee is far from confident.
“Do something before it attracts attention. Rattata isn’t the type of Pokémon to travel alone,” Kyungsoo says quickly.
“Right,” Baekhyun says in response, licking his lips anxiously. “Alright, Eevee! Tackle!” He points at the Rattata with a deceiving amount of bravado, praying to a based Articuno for a modicum of success. Rattata is hardly a challenge. It’s probably a lower level with only a couple of methods of attack but still, Baekhyun’s hyperaware of how frayed his nerves are.
They only get worse when he realizes Eevee isn’t moving.
“Eevee?” Baekhyun repeats. “Come on, Eevee, it’s okay! You can do it!” The encouragement is feeble at best and he can see it doesn’t do much for the terrified Pokémon.
Eevee, however, ever the stickler for pleasing his trainer, takes a wary step forward, still standing excessively close to Baekhyun. The wavering of his careful steps forward should be enough indication for Baekhyun to forfeit this one but he thinks if Eevee’s willing to take a chance, he shouldn’t be discouraging him.
Rattata leaps before Baekhyun can say anything, tackling Eevee squarely in the shoulder and skimming Baekhyun’s leg as well.
The soft whimper that slips past Eevee’s mouth is the equivalent of a dagger going right through Baekhyun’s chest. He didn’t mean to be negligent. He didn’t mean to get Eevee hurt-
“Baekhyun!” Kyungsoo raises his voice for the first time today. “You have to be quicker than that!”
He falters though, words caught in his throat. He can already see the Rattata gearing up for a second attack. The Rattata never gets the chance to strike a second time, however. A Pokéball is hurled over Baekhyun’s shoulder, releasing a silhouette to stand between Eevee and the wild Rattata.
☆ MAROWAK, A BONE KEEPER POKÉMON. DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE, ITS OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE STRENGTH IS IMPRESSIVE ☆
“Go!” Kyungsoo says simply. Marowak bobs its head once before jumping forward, positioning the bone in its claws and swinging it like a baseball bat-with Rattata as its baseball. The experience disparity must be large because the Rattata doesn’t stand a chance, going flying as soon as it makes contact with the bone. Marowak turns to Kyungsoo for approval. Kyungsoo nods. “Good job. You can return now.”
Eevee lets out another small whine, nudging weakly at Baekhyun’s shoes until he relents and picks Eevee up in his arms. Baekhyun’s silent as Kyungsoo collects the Pokéball on the ground casually, as though nothing of significance happened.
He’s a little embarrassed to say the least. It’s obvious to Baekhyun now how much of a difference two years can really make in terms of skill.
“Your Pokémon’s going to get flustered if you’re flustered. You can’t build a solid trust system with Eevee if you’re scared of letting him get hurt.” Though Kyungsoo’s tone is level, Baekhyun’s known him for too long to ignore the tiny glimmer of concern in Kyungsoo’s intonation. “You have to trust yourself to take care of him before you can expect Eevee to go into battle confidently for you.”
The chastisement ends there as Kyungsoo drops the Pokéball in his hand back into its designated pouch. He wipes the frown off of his face quickly, replacing it with his usual expression of neutrality before he extends a tiny vial to Baekhyun.
“It’s a potion,” he explains. “We can’t afford to go to the Pokémon Center until we get through Viridian Forest so this is the best option for recovery.”
Baekhyun wraps his fingers around the vial, staring down at it, lips pursed and brows furrowed. He isn’t sure what to say. He’s being harassed, really, by the immense desire to know what the last two years were for Kyungsoo.
☆☆
FOUR: HEART-TO-HEART!!
They’re camping beneath the trees and stars tonight, bundled up in sleeping bags by an expired makeshift fire courtesy of Kyungsoo. Eevee’s better now, almost at his 100% best as he flounces around the area before settling comfortably by a tree trunk nearby.
Kyungsoo has his back turned to them, already asleep.
“Hey, Eevee?” Baekhyun whispers from his sleeping bag. Eevee’s ears twitch before he turns around to stare at Baekhyun quizzically. “About earlier today… I’m sorry I let you down,” he says with a frown. “I don’t want to make excuses about how it’s my first time and I’m not experienced and stuff but-I dunno. Seeing you actually get hurt by that stupid rat made me realize that it really is just you and me and, well…” He trails off with a muted sigh, flopping over onto his back to peek at the stars through the overlapped leaves above.
Eevee hops off of the tree trunk and manages to get to Baekhyun, curling up next to him and nuzzling his cheek.
“I know I messed up,” Baekhyun continues, lips curving into a slight smile as he reaches one hand out of the sleeping bag to card his fingers through the fur of Eevee’s head. “I know this whole trust thing is going to take a while but-I’m going to try my best, okay? So don’t think for a second that I’ll leave you behind if you mess up in battle or something. I won’t get mad even if we lose, just as long as you’re okay in the end.”
Eevee nudges Baekhyun’s shoulder and looks content.
“We’re both new to this, but I promise that in a couple of years, maybe even months, we’re going to be at the top together.”
“Eevee!”
(Baekhyun and Eevee fall asleep trying to find the Butterfree constellation. Kyungsoo, back still turned to them, smiles to himself and finally closes his eyes.)
☆☆
FIVE: WELCOME, NUMBER TWO!!
Coincidentally, they run into Chanyeol at the very edge of Route 2. Baekhyun’s gotten a couple of shaky battles under his belt and Eevee’s growing considerably more confident with each one-even the losses. Days pass and Baekhyun’s feeling confident about leaving Route 2 now.
It’s a little difficult to recognize Chanyeol initially because he’s wearing leaves all over his hair and clothes and some sort of war paint on his face for reasons only based Zapdos knows. He’s eager to see Baekhyun and especially Kyungsoo though, jumping out from the grass to greet them cheerfully after apologizing profusely for causing them heart attacks.
“I’m going to be a Bug trainer!” Chanyeol announces proudly.
“I thought you were going to breed Furrets,” Baekhyun replies with a half-hearted smile.
“That was before I realized Furrets are regions away.” Chanyeol looks minutely devastated.
Kyungsoo pats Chanyeol on the shoulder empathetically.
“Anyways,” Chanyeol continues after wiping away a few fake tears. “You’re starting to catch Pokémon now, right? I suggest adding a Bug type to your party! Route 2 has a ton of great ones that are easy to train! Like… like… Caterpie? Or Weevil? I personally like Weevils better but to each their own, y’know.” He claps a hand on Baekhyun’s back encouragingly.
Baekhyun grimaces. He’s not too fond of Bug Pokémon. They aren’t exactly the first type to come to mind when thinking of strength and power-which is what he’s looking for to build the right team to defeat the Elite Four and all, but Chanyeol looks so earnest and excited about these bugs of his that Baekhyun can’t help but nod.
When they part ways after monstrously aggressive hugs from Chanyeol and words of advice about Pewter’s Gym Leader, a young man by the name of Kim Jongdae, Baekhyun isn’t expecting to act on his promise so soon.
He’s walking through the grass casually, approaching the gates to Viridian Forest with a practiced ease when a Caterpie, of all Pokémon, pops out from a tree above and lands in front of him. It looks startled more than anything-cornered, almost.
☆ CATERPIE, THE WORM POKÉMON. CATERPIE USES THE SUCTION CUPS ON ITS FEET TO CLIMB TREES AND FEED ON ITS FAVORITE LEAVES ☆
Eevee hops out from behind Baekhyun and assumes battle stance while Kyungsoo stands in the sidelines, watching carefully with his hands casually jammed into his pockets.
“Tackle?” Baekhyun says hesitantly, still unsure of whether the Caterpie is looking for a battle. He’s leaning towards not looking for a battle.
His sentiments are confirmed when the Caterpie begins screeching and shrieking as Eevee chases after it in an attempt to tackle it. The Caterpie looks thoroughly attacked, as though it really just fell from the tree to have a good time in the grass-not to get chased by a determined Eevee.
Unfortunately, Eevee does manage to catch up eventually, tackling the Caterpie right in the middle and sending it flying against a nearby tree. It falls to the ground and tries to slide back up but ends up flopping over onto the ground again, dizzied by the impromptu air travel.
“Use your Pokéball,” Kyungsoo advises him.
Baekhyun hesitates. “Do I really want a Bug Pokémon though?” He frowns. “Like really?”
“It’s kind of cute,” Kyungsoo reasons. He tilts his head to the side as though attempting to accurately judge the fainted Caterpie from all angles. “Kind of.” He straightens his neck. “… Kind of.”
“Fine. I’ll do it so Chanyeol’s ghost doesn’t haunt me.”
Caterpie doesn’t struggle when the Pokéball absorbs her. Baekhyun picks the Pokéball up and looks at it critically before outstretching it into the air in an unnecessarily exaggerated pose.
“Heck yeah! I caught a Caterpie!” Baekhyun grins and winks at an imaginary camera.
Kyungsoo peers at him. “Who are you talking to?”
☆☆
SIX: PLAYING CATCH UP!!
The Viridian Forest is a beautiful expansive woodland that is simultaneously one of the most terrifying sights Baekhyun has ever had the honor of seeing. He can’t see the end of the forest from where he stands and it’s unsettling imagining getting lost in the woods forever, forced to sleep with Caterpies and Weevils inching about and stealing food from his bag.
Kyungsoo, however, seems much more assured as he walks directly into the forest, peering through spaces in the woods to find a good place to camp for the night.
He ends up finding one moments later, a comfortable patch of grass just a couple of meters from the gates. There’s just barely enough room for two sleeping bags and though it’s a bit close for comfort, there’s no use complaining because Baekhyun would much rather rest than search aimlessly for a better spot.
They set up camp in moderate silence. Eevee is already fast asleep with Caterpie curled up next to him. Eevee is exhausted from a day of thorough training and Caterpie is equally as exhausted from a day of trying to eat Baekhyun’s hair and hat.
Baekhyun carefully flattens his sleeping bag, leaving the available two inches of space between his sleeping space and Kyungsoo’s.
“Good night,” Kyungsoo says softly, zipping his sleeping bag up and turning over onto his side, back facing Baekhyun again.
“Night,” Baekhyun mumbles in response. He turns so his back’s facing Kyungsoo too but after a moment of contemplation, he turns back around. Kyungsoo’s probably already on his way to slumber land by now but Baekhyun doesn’t need much reciprocation to let his mind wonder aimlessly about the enigma, Do Kyungsoo.
Eevee stirs, pawing the air in his sleep. Caterpie makes a whirring noise before sprawling out into a more comfortable position.
“Hey asshole.” He pauses. “Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun calls out softly, not expecting a response. “Why did you leave Pallet without saying goodbye?”
The silence doesn’t come as a surprise to Baekhyun. He feels a little better though, having gotten the question off of his chest in the very least. He shifts so he’s on his back now, gaze glued to the canopy of trees above.
“You want me to answer that?” Kyungsoo mutters suddenly, and Baekhyun freezes as his words process in his mind. “Because I can, but it won’t make any sense to you either way.”
This time, it’s Baekhyun’s turn to be silent. He presses his lips into a firm line as he continues staring at the wisps of twilight still lingering in the air.
“Yeah. I want you to answer it.”
Kyungsoo hums contemplatively, and Baekhyun can almost imagine the workings of a smile on his lips. It sends a tremor down his spine for unexplainable reasons.
“Because I was mad that you didn’t trust yourself,” Kyungsoo says simply. “I figured I might as well accomplish your dream for you either to give you some sort of peace of mind or, better yet, inspire you to do even better than me. I thought it’d be easier if I left without telling you-because I don’t know if you ever noticed, but you were always really good at convincing me to do stupid things. I didn’t want you to convince me to stay.”
“I thought-” Baekhyun holds his breath before sighing softly. “It did kind of inspire me in the long run. To get over myself, I mean. I just… thought that you left Pallet because you were tired of being there with me, just waiting for me to move on.”
“Baekhyun,” Kyungsoo says seriously, “I have an entirely separate reserve of patience for you. It’s ingrained in my DNA to stick with you-and I would have. But you weren’t happy and you weren’t listening to me either, so I thought I’d have to take a different approach.”
“I was so mad at you,” he replies with a soft, anxious laugh. “In the two years you were gone, all the people talked about were the great things you were doing. It made me want to do better, because I thought you left to find better things and I kind of wanted to prove that I could be a better thing.”
Baekhyun inhales sharply before mustering up the courage to turn to look at Kyungsoo. To his surprise, Kyungsoo’s already looking at him.
“It worked,” Baekhyun says quietly. “Your plan, I mean. You did drag me out of the little bubble I confined myself to.”
“It took two years though,” Kyungsoo comments with a faint smile. “It’s okay. I could have waited more.”
“Really?”
Kyungsoo turns over onto his back again. “Yeah. I always make exceptions for you.”
☆☆
SEVEN: BACK TO BASICS!!
Kyungsoo lets out a sigh as Baekhyun hops excitedly through the forest. It’s been a couple of days wandering through the trees but they’re beginning to thin out-a clear sign that Pewter City is somewhere near.
“You’re going against a Rock type gym with an Eevee and a Caterpie.”
“And a Pikachu. Don’t forget I caught a Pikachu this morning. I’m getting to be kind of amazing at this.”
“Okay. You’re going against a Rock type gym with an Eevee, a Caterpie, and a Pikachu.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a strategy planned?”
“No.”
“… Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“Kyungsoo, calm down. I literally have everything under control.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“Caterpie’s eating your hair again.”
“Wha-MOTHERFU-”
“Caaaaaaaaaterpie!”
“No worries though, right? Because you have everything under control.”
“Pleasegetheroffofmyhair.”
“Nah. You have everything under control.”
☆☆
EIGHT: ROCK AND ROLL!!
Kim Jongdae proves to be a formidable match, as expected from a Gym Leader hailed as a Pokémon geek with thorough knowledge on all types.
Baekhyun, surprisingly enough, wins. Against all odds, he manages to survive the brutal battles with at least his Caterpie still in one piece. Eevee and Pikachu are resting in their respective Pokeballs, nearly fainted from playing their parts in battle, when Baekhyun exits the gym to greet Kyungsoo.
“So?” Kyungsoo asks, prompting Baekhyun for a response.
Baekhyun stares at the ground and then lets out a small sigh.
Kyungsoo frowns. “It was your first-” He trails off when Baekhyun slowly extends the glistening Pewter City gym badge to Kyungsoo. “Wow,” he says blankly. “You’re an asshole. I thought you lost.”
“Please, Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun says with a scoff. “Who do you think I am? Some rookie? I’m Byun Baekhyun!”
“Yeah,” Kyungsoo replies. “That’s what I’m saying. I thought you lost-”
“Don’t ruin this happy moment for me.”
The smile that grows on Kyungsoo’s lips is warm and genuine. Baekhyun mirrors it with his signature square grin. Shamelessly, he extends his arms for a hug. Kyungsoo eyes him quizzically before rolling his eyes and pulling Baekhyun into his arms.
“Proud of you, idiot,” he mumbles into Baekhyun’s ear.
“Thanks, douchebag,” Baekhyun says as he tightens his grip. He leans his head back to press a kiss to Kyungsoo’s cheek, relishing the way Kyungsoo freezes in his arms. The pink that dusts the ever so stoic Pallet native’s cheeks is a nice touch.
When Baekhyun pulls away, Kyungsoo’s looking at the ground awkwardly. He almost wishes he could take a picture of this exact moment.
“So are you going to Cerulean with me?” Baekhyun asks instead.
Kyungsoo looks up then, a tiny smile on his lips. “Nah. I have to be somewhere else. I kind of left an important job after I heard you were finally leaving Pallet. I was so happy you were starting your journey that-I don’t know. I guess I felt kind of greedy. I wanted to be there for part of it.”
Baekhyun’s a little disappointed but he figured that Kyungsoo wasn’t in need of a beginner’s company.
“I’m proud of you, Baekhyun,” he repeats earnestly. “You’ve come really far so don’t stop anytime soon. You owe me a battle, anyways.” He grins, heart-shaped lips curving wide. He reaches out, tangling his fingers with Baekhyun’s effortlessly. “I expect to see you at the very end after you’ve beaten the Elite Four.”
When Kyungsoo pulls away, Baekhyun realizes he’s clasping something in the palm of his hand. He unfolds his hand and peers at what remains. It’s a blue stone, the color of the deep ocean.
“Water stone,” Kyungsoo says sheepishly. “Just in case.”
“Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun begins slowly, clasping the stone tightly again before he steps forward to wrap his arms around Kyungsoo’s neck for another hug. “Thanks for waiting. Thanks for everything.”
“I told you,” Kyungsoo replies. “You’ll always be an exception.”
☆☆
TRAINER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Do Kyungsoo
TRAINER AGE: Eighteen
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Flareon, Venasaur, Marowak, Gyarados, Gengar, Lapras
☆☆
EPILOGUE: THE HERO’S ULTIMATE TEST!!
“I can’t believe it,” Lu Han whines, kicking at the ground petulantly. “I can’t believe you beat me!” The fourth and final member of the Elite Four looks absolutely devastated as he stares at Baekhyun with round eyes. “Well, I guess you won fair and square! Congratulations, Byun Baekhyun! The Champion awaits behind these doors…”
Baekhyun grins, accepting a handshake from Lu Han. Vaporeon trills happily next to him as they make their way to the double doors behind Lu Han. He has a vague idea of what to accept but the adrenaline is still pumping through his veins as he pushes the doors open.
It’s bright in this room but once his eyes adjust, he sees a familiar figure clothed in black from head-to-toe sitting cross-legged at the opposite end of the room with a Flareon seated next to him.
The figure looks up and his expression melts immediately into a smile.
“Baekhyun,” Kyungsoo begins with a satisfied smile, getting up onto his feet. “You made it.”
Baekhyun mirrors the grin, letting the doors close behind him as he takes a couple of steps further into the room. “I had a promise to keep, you see… some loser I know made me promise to beat him someday.”
“This loser sounds remarkably wise and probably talented. Handsome, too,” Kyungsoo says thoughtfully. “But now that you’re here, I guess it’s time to get this battle started. You have to win. You could be the next Champion.”
“I’m going to win,” Baekhyun assures him with a confident wave of his hand. “After I win, I not only want that fancy title-”
Kyungsoo tilts his head to the side.
“-but I want a kiss too. I think you owe me one.”
The expression on Kyungsoo’s face is dumbfounded before he shakes his head, laughing softly under his breath. “Well, Baekhyun, I should warn you that I’m here for a reason.” He grins. “You’re going to have to earn it.”
☆☆
TRAINER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Byun Baekhyun
TRAINER AGE: Nineteen
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Vaporeon, Butterfree, Dragonite, Arcanine, Raichu, Pidgeot
Author: astrou
Recipient: onyu
Pairing/Focus: baeksoo // baekhyun-centric
Rating: pg
Warnings: pokemon terms (pokemon names, couple of locations), a scattered but minimal amount of really bad pokemon puns (including the title) ((sorry))
Length: 7.9k
Summary: byun baekhyun embarks on his pokemon journey and finds a little more than he bargained for along the way.
(thank you, onyu for the lovely prompts. i had a great time pursuing a guilty pleasure while writing this! It’s mostly based on the anime over the game for comprehension purposes?? and also because ev training will never not be confusing. i genuinely hope you enjoy!)
START NEW GAME…?
“Hello there! Welcome to the world of Pokémon! My name is Lee! People call me the Pokémon Prof! This world is inhabited by creatures called Pokémon! For some people, Pokémon are pets. Other use them for fights. Myself-”
“Professor, you don’t need to introdu-”
“MYSELF… I study Pokémon as a profession. First, are you a boy or a girl?”
“I-what?” A look of disbelief washes over Baekhyun’s face. “Are you serious? Really? My gender? You’ve changed my diaper and you’re asking me for my gender. Wow. This is incredible. Amazing.”
Professor Lee clears his throat purposefully.
Baekhyun glowers. “Boy.”
The smile on the Professor’s face is infuriatingly sunny as he claps his hands together. “Then what is your name?”
“You know my name. You-fine. Fine.” The smile that appears on Baekhyun’s face is anything but genuine. “My name’s Baekhyun.”
“Right!” Professor Lee claps his hands in confirmation. “So your name is Baekhyun! You know my grandson, right, Baekhyun? He’s been your rival since you were a baby. Erm, what is his name again?”
“His name?” Baekhyun repeats, eyes flattened into an expression of disbelief. “Your grandson’s name. You’re asking me what your grandson’s name is.”
Professor Lee looks at him expectantly, smiling.
“I don’t know,” Baekhyun begins with the workings of a smirk. “Douchebag? Assfart? Idiot? Ah, yes, I remember now… Sir Dickless of-”
“Baekhyun,” the Professor says sternly, now massaging the crease between his brows with much futility. “You know this is protocol.”
“Fine. Kyungsoo. My rival’s name is Do Kyungsoo, supreme jerkwad of-”
“THAT’S RIGHT! I remember now! His name is Kyungsoo!”
“Professor, I just really want my Pokémon-”
“Baekhyun! Your very own Pokémon legend is about to unfold! A world of dreams and adventures with Pokémon awaits! Let’s go!”
They stand there idly, Professor Lee with his fist outstretched-an uncanny resemblance to Superman-and Baekhyun with his arms crossed, looking unimpressed in his backwards cap and Pokéball-less fanny pack.
“What,” Baekhyun says blankly. “What’s supposed to be happening right now?”
Professor Lee doesn’t move. “We’re using our imaginations, Baekhyun. How do you expect to catch any Pokémon if you can’t even use your imagination?”
Baekhyun lets out a withering sigh and slowly outstretches his fist too. “I’m so excited,” he says not-very-excitedly. “Yay!”
“Good,” Professor Lee says with a wide smile. “Now it’s time for you to wake up from your dream, Baekhyun! You’re going to be late!”
☆☆
“I’M NOT LATE,” Baekhyun wails as he bursts into an upright position in his bed. The sun is shining through his windows and he can spot his dead alarm clock out of the corner of his eyes, Mister Mime’s analog arms frozen at 5:25 AM.
This is Baekbeom’s fault, Baekhyun notes immediately. If his brother wasn’t so adamant about utilizing natural energy, Baekhyun wouldn’t have woken up late on the most important day of his life. He can hear the soft snoring of Baekbeom’s Pikachu, their main source of energy, at the foot of Baekhyun’s bed.
He grimaces. There’s a lurking feeling of immense dread at the base of his stomach as he contemplates checking what time it really is. Professor Lee had instructed the new trainers-to-be to arrive at the laboratory at 9:00 AM sharp.
“Pikachu!” Baekbeom’s voice calls from the hallway. “There you are, buddy-oh. Baekhyun? What are you doing here?” Baekbeom leans against the doorway, expression inquisitive as his gaze falls on Baekhyun’s state of disarray. “It’s already half past nine. Don’t you have a place to be?” he inquires, gesturing plainly to the outfit Baekhyun had meticulously picked out the night before, sitting on his desk.
Baekhyun lets out a low groan and buries his face in his hands. He can barely process his brother’s exasperated nagging, much too preoccupied with lugging his body out of bed to change into his clothes. He tugs a red cap on backwards, trying in vain to hide the mass of bed hair currently assuming a mind of its own atop Baekhyun’s head.
“Out,” he says blankly, pushing at Baekbeom’s arms lifelessly all while pushing a still-sleeping Pikachu across the ground with his socked foot.
“Baekhyun!” Baekbeom frowns. “This is no way to treat a Pokémon! Get your feet away from your Pokémon brother! How do you expect to be a respectable trainer if you can’t even respect the world’s most incredible creation?”
“Baekhyun!” he mimics with a huff before nudging at Pikachu. “Oi. Oi. Wake up, you useless lump.”
Pikachu’s ears twitch as he crawls into an upright position, rubbing at his eyes blearily with his paws. He looks up at Baekhyun and then at Baekbeom and then back at Baekhyun. The disarming smile on Pikachu’s face is the absolute worst part of Baekhyun’s morning, because it only takes two seconds before Pikachu greets his trainer’s baby brother with an electrifying handshake.
☆☆
PLAYER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Byun Baekhyun
TRAINER AGE: Ten Eighteen Ten EIGHTEEN (“I’M NOT TEN, PROFESSOR.”) (“But all Pokémon trainers start at ten…”) (“I’m not ten.”)
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Not available!
☆☆
“Oh no,” Professor Lee says as sadly as he can. Which, Baekhyun bitterly notes, is actually not as sad as desired. “It appears we have run out of starter Pokémon. What a true pity.”
“Are you doing this because I refuse to let you lie to people about my age?” Baekhyun demands.
“You woke up late, Baekhyun,” the Professor chastises with a shake of his head. “I tried my best but I had to give starters to the dutiful trainers who came on time. Your friend, Chanyeol, happened to get the last one…”
“I can’t believe you gave Chanyeol a Pokémon,” Baekhyun says in disbelief. “Who would trust Chanyeol with a breathing creature? Who would trust Chanyeol with an inanimate object?”
“Chanyeol, you see, came on time,” the Professor replies wisely, stroking his chin and nodding firmly. Baekhyun suppresses a sigh. “It’s no worry though. My colleague, Professor Yang, over in the Unova Region sent me a Pokémon indigenous to Unova! We’ll see if it’s to your liking, although… beggars can’t be choosers.”
The Professor tosses a Pokéball against the ground. A single beam of light bursts from the capsule until what appears to be a tiny trash bag waddles in front of them gleefully.
Baekhyun instinctively takes a step back.
“What,” he sputters out. “What is this thing.”
☆ TRUBBISH, THE TRASH BAG POKÉMON. TRUBBISH PREFER TO LIVE IN DIRTY PLACES LIKE GARBAGE DUMPS. IT IS SAID THEY WERE BORN WHEN A CHEMICAL REACTION OCCURRED BETWEEN AN ABANDONED TRASH BAG AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE ☆
“Perfect,” the Professor says with a satisfied smile. “This is Trubbish, Baekhyun. Isn’t she a beaut?”
“Professor,” Baekhyun says desperately. “Professor.” He realizes it’s his own fault for coming late-for having huge ambitions about picking between Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle-but this… is a trash bag. Byun Baekhyun has his own pride and dignity and he isn’t about to let it get squashed by a bouncy little bag of trash.
Trubbish hops across the tiled floor with an unmeasured glee. The faint smell of garbage lingers in the lab.
“Oh, Baekhyun! There’s nothing wrong with Trubbish!”
“Professor,” he repeats earnestly.
Professor Lee sighs exaggeratedly, rolling his eyes before returning Trubbish to its Pokéball. “I don’t like playing favorites, Baekhyun,” he says with a frown. He sets the Pokéball back into its designated spot, jamming his hands into the pockets of his white lab coat just moments after. He paces the lab in contemplation, hmming contemplatively. “But I suppose I’ll make an exception, since you are an exceptional case. I don’t think we’ve had a trainer start this late in quite some time.”
Baekhyun’s expression brightens considerably before darkening almost immediately after. “Eighteen is a perfectly fine age to embark on a Pokémon adventure,” he mumbles defensively.
“Yes, yes,” the Professor says absentmindedly, waving Baekhyun’s sulking off with a flippant gesturing of his hand. “I suppose since you are behind the other trainers in your age group…”
“Not every trainer starts at age ten, Professor!”
“Ash Ketchum started at age ten,” Professor Lee replies sagely. “He is the epitome of Pokémon trainer.”
“Ash Ketchum was rumored to be immortal,” Baekhyun sputters in response.
“He wasn’t immortal, Baekhyun. He simply wore sun screen and lotion every day. His perfect complexion was almost as famous as his Pokémon adventures. Youth is in the skin these days… it’s much too late for your poor Professor here, but no worries. I’ve heard from many that I look naturally robust and-”
Baekhyun’s expression is unimpressed. The Professor tapers off and clears his throat uncomfortably.
“Anyways,” he says with a feeble smile. “I do have one other Pokémon that I could give to you.”
“You’re the absolute best, Profes-”
“Though I do think Trubbish is a perfectly fine companion for a strapping young lad like you.”
“Professor.”
Professor Lee shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly before procuring another Pokéball from his collection. He tosses the capsule to the ground again and steps back as the familiar beam of light shoots out, illuminating the silhouette of none other than-
☆ EEVEE, THE EVOLUTION POKÉMON. EEVEE IS A UNIQUE POKÉMON THAT CAN ADAPT TO ITS ENVIRONMENT BY CHANGING ITS FORM AND ABILITIES WHEN EVOLVING ☆
“An Eevee?” Baekhyun says, lips curling into a wide smile as he crouches down to greet the bundle of fur.
“Incredible observation skills,” the Professor murmurs dryly. “This Eevee might be difficult to get close to at first considering its circumstances, but I have faith that your annoyingly stubborn personality will prevail in the end.”
“Circumstances?” Baekhyun repeats, pointedly ignoring the part about his stubbornness.
“Eevee here was abandoned outside the Pokémon Center in Pewter City,” Professor Lee explains, smiling fondly at the Pokémon as it looks around uncertainly at its surroundings. “He was nursed back to health but couldn’t adapt after efforts were made to return him to the wild. Eevee is sweet. He’ll take some time but I think you two will make a great matc-ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING?”
Baekhyun’s too busy drifting off into his own world, contemplating what sort of evolution he wants for his Eevee. He has to be proactive in his planning if he wants to catch up to the other trainers-namely Kyungsoo, because Kyungsoo’s probably well on his way to the Pokémon League, that piece of Shinx.
Professor Lee smacks his forehead audibly, letting out a harried sigh. “I’m beginning to think even eighteen might be too soon for you, Baekhyun…”
☆☆
ONE: TO PEWTER CITY!!
“Alright, Eevee,” Baekhyun begins with a determined nod. Eevee pads behind him hesitantly, eyeing Baekhyun with much apprehension. “My name’s Baekhyun, Byun Baekhyun, and I might seem small, but I’m actually the most powerful man in the world. I know, hard to believe, but I wouldn’t lie to you. We’re blood brothers now. You and I, we ride and die together-oh, oh, uh, wait, I didn’t mean actually die. Sorry. You look really scared.”
“Eevee!” Eevee whines indignantly, not budging from its spot.
“Come on!” Baekhyun frowns. “I didn’t mean actual death! I wouldn’t let that happen. I mean, look at me. The world would be in mourning for forever if someone like me died. I’m beautiful-oh, well, I mean, you too. I wouldn’t let you die either because you’re also beautiful. We’re similarly beautiful, you see. The world needs people and Pokémon like us. We make the world go ‘round.”
Eevee looks unconvinced.
“Come on,” Baekhyun repeats. “We’re bros now, Eevee. Like, for example. You see a really cute Flareon at the Pokémon Center or something? You feel free to use me as your wingman. I am at your beck and call. We are true ride or die brothers from now on.” Baekhyun crouches down in front of Eevee and extends a fist. “Pound it, Eevee. No turning back.”
“Still as insane as ever, huh,” a familiar voice calls out from behind.
Baekhyun recognizes this voice all too well and Eevee picks up on the immediate grimace that flickers across his trainer’s face. He tilts his head to the side, looking mildly concerned as he nudges Baekhyun’s still extended fist with his nose.
“Shh,” Baekhyun whispers. “Maybe if we don’t move, he’ll go away.”
“So this is your starter?” None other than Do Kyungsoo gracefully pushes Baekhyun aside to take his place in front of Eevee. Kyungsoo is smiling, looking pleasantly in awe as he tilts his head. “You’re cute.”
Baekhyun grunts as he tries to steady his footing, having narrowly avoided landing on his butt thanks to Kyungsoo. “Go away,” he says with a huff. “Eevee and I are having a special trainer-to-Pokémon moment here and douchebags are unfortunately not invited.”
“That’s a pity,” Kyungsoo says mildly. “You uninvited yourself from your own bonding session?”
“Ha,” Baekhyun says dryly. “What are you even doing here? Are you stalking me? Following me? You’re obsessed with me, aren’t you? Showing up after years to proclaim your love for me, right?”
“Please don’t flatter yourself so readily.” With a measured cautiousness, Kyungsoo reaches one hand out tentatively, stopping halfway as though to wait for some sort of indication that Eevee is okay with being touched. The Pokémon looks at Kyungsoo warily, gaze locked with his before Eevee carefully nudges at Kyungsoo’s hovering hand with his head. It’s an invitation, and Kyungsoo smiles as he pats Eevee on the head gently. “I heard from gramps that you finally started your journey so I thought I’d say hello,” he says matter-of-factly, retracting his hand after some time to peer at Baekhyun. “Pewter City, right?”
Baekhyun fails to hide his jealousy at how quickly his Eevee and Kyungsoo bonded. “What? Oh, yeah, yeah, Pewter City. To demolish the gym leader there, naturally.”
“Naturally,” Kyungsoo supplies noncommittally. He gets up from his crouching position, brushing himself off as Baekhyun follows suit. “I’m going to join you. You don’t mind, right?”
“Nah, I don’t min-what?” Baekhyun freezes, narrowing his eyes at Kyungsoo exaggeratedly. “Yes, I mind, and no, you can’t!” He emphasizes his blatant disapproval with a couple of huge arm gestures that Kyungsoo coolly ignores.
“Isn’t it lonely traveling by yourself though?” Kyungsoo inquires with a tilt of his head. “Sounds like a hassle.”
“Well, it isn’t-”
“I wasn’t talking to you. I was talking to Eevee.” With a pointed stare, Kyungsoo juts his chin in Eevee’s general direction. The Pokémon seems comfortable with Kyungsoo, pawing at one of his shoelaces with a muted sort of glee. “Eevee seems fine with my company.”
“Traitor,” Baekhyun hisses.
Kyungsoo looks entirely unassuming standing next to Baekhyun in his typical attire of black on black on black. His hair is tussled, a critical component of Kyungsoo’s perpetual state of categorized chaos. As though on cue, Kyungsoo secures a black hat over his head. But Baekhyun knows better than anyone else that Kyungsoo is much, much more than what meets the eye. He isn’t suspicious so much as he is deflated that his ultimate rival is basically inviting himself to babysit Baekhyun.
“This isn’t how rivalries work,” Baekhyun whines petulantly, kicking at the dirt childishly. “This is where you’re supposed to challenge me to a Pokémon battle. And then you’re supposed to win and cackle maniacally and have some stupid catchphrase like, ‘haha smell ya’ later, Baekloser.’ If you aren’t here to push me into the dirt, how am I supposed to fuel my burning desire to demolish everything you’ve accomplished?!”
Unfortunately for Baekhyun, Kyungsoo is no longer listening, already walking ahead on the beaten path with Eevee-the traitor-padding behind him obediently. He contemplates throwing a pebble, or, better yet, a Caterpie at Kyungsoo’s head but instead sucks in a breath and stalks behind the worst rival in the world and the worst Pokémon in the world.
“Did you get your Pokéballs and Pokédex?”
“Yeah,” Baekhyun replies sullenly. “But my Pokédex doesn’t work properly.”
“What do you mean?”
A Weevil slinks by at that exact moment and Baekhyun thinks he might have been excited if he wasn’t bent on only catching the finest, strongest Pokémon to build the perfect team. He pulls his Pokédex out of his back pocket and flips it open as a demonstration.
“WEEVIL,” Baekhyun’s Pokédex says robotically, “IS OBVIOUSLY A POKÉMON BUT YOU BETTER FIGURE OUT WHAT IT’S LIKE ON ITS OWN, IDIOT.”
“Oh,” Kyungsoo says dully. “That is a problem.”
“I think Professor Lee is pranking me,” Baekhyun explains with a sigh. “He’s really holding this whole ‘eighteen and starting a journey’ thing against me.”
“You were always a late bloomer.”
Baekhyun parts his lips to utter some choice words, stopping himself only when he realizes Eevee’s still there, watching them primly. It’s instinct how he purses his lips together, gaze darting from Eevee to an expectant Kyungsoo. Eevee is technically his responsibility and Baekhyun doesn’t want to be responsible for teaching him bad manners and bad words.
Not that… Eevee can really talk.
“Go away,” Baekhyun says instead, smiling sweetly.
“No thank you,” Kyungsoo says in response, smiling just as brightly.
The tall grass and never-ending expanse of foliage before him is suddenly all the more exhausting. Baekhyun is unsure if he’ll be able to survive to Pewter City when Kyungsoo’s lingering like an annoying little piece of shi-
“Eevee!”
“Yes, son,” Baekhyun murmurs distantly. “This truly will be an adventure.”
Kyungsoo smiles faintly as he walks two steps behind Baekhyun.
☆☆
TWO: THE HEROES UNITE!!
(!!) You’ve found a diary in the Do household! It doesn’t look like it belongs to your rival, KYUNGSOO… Continue?
[A] Yes
[B] No
The town of Pallet is a small one. Our two heroes meet on a rainy afternoon at the tender age of infantile and incoherent. The matriarch of the Byun family cradles a red swaddle in her arms as she insists to her best friend, the once famed researcher, daughter of the venerable Professor Sooman Lee, that her son-Baekhyun-is sure to be a legend in his own right.
“It only makes sense,” she insists. “Our family’s got some real fighting blood, I swear! I mean-I don’t want to make it seem like I don’t think your Kyungsoo’s going to succeed but… Baekhyun. Baekhyun. I have so many high hopes for Baekhyun.”
Baekhyun lets out a hoarse wail as his mother bounces up and down excitedly, almost neglecting the baby in her arms.
“That’s exactly what you said about Baekbeom,” Kyungsoo’s mother says calmly, an amused smile on her lips as she rocks Kyungsoo back and forth. “You’ve been fueling quite the rivalry between Baekbeom and Seungsoo these days.”
“Competitive spirit! It’s good for strapping young gentlemen.” The grin on her face is a familiar one, lips forming an almost rectangle as her eyes crinkle ever so slightly. “Baekhyun’s going to be a Pokémon champion. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to hope that Kyungsoo can keep up.”
The two women sit in comfort, chattering amiably as the rain pours outside. The door to the house swings open and two young boys shiver as they trail mud and rainwater across the hardwood.
“Seungsoo and I were having a fake Pokémon battle and his fake Squirtle used a fake Rain Dance and now we’re drenched!” Baekbeom explains quickly before either mother has the opportunity to nag their respective sons.
“Byun Baekbeom! What kind of an example are you setting for your baby brother if you can’t even counter a Rain Dance? You go outside right now and use a fake Sunny Day or I’m sending you straight to your room!”
“I forfeit,” Seungsoo says quickly, before Baekbeom has the opportunity to act on his mother’s demands. He wanders over to his mom’s side, peering over her shoulders at a dormant Kyungsoo. “It’s too wet outside. Baekbeom can win this time around.”
“HEY,” Baekbeom yells. “DON’T GO EASY ON ME, DO SEUNGSOO. I CAN BEAT YOU FAIR AND SQUA-”
“If I go outside for five minutes so you can ‘beat me,’ will you be quiet? My brother’s sleeping.”
“Fine!”
“Fine.”
The two boys exit the house again, Seungsoo tearing himself away from his brother with much futility.
“Competitive spirit,” Baekhyun’s mother says again with a waggle of her brow. “Our boys will never run from a fight!”
(!!) The diary has more to it. Would you like to continue reading?
[A] Yes
[B] No
Baekhyun’s mother passes away on a warm summer day. The sun is bright and it embraces all who wander into its light. The ceremony is simple. No one wants to complicate the proceedings because they all know that the fiery-eyed woman whose optimism knew no end would have hated to hassle anyone.
Baekhyun is nine. Kyungsoo holds his hand tightly the entire time.
Baekbeom returns from his Pokémon journey to take care of his brother and to watch over the house while their father continues research in the Sinnoh region. It’s a sacrifice, everyone knows it, but Baekbeom never lets it show.
The twinkle in Baekhyun’s eyes dim that day. No one points it out. No one smothers him with their condolences and with their pity. It’s a quiet process, a commemoration of a woman who brought laughter and joy to a small community.
The day after, Baekhyun pretends that everything is okay. He goes to Professor Lee’s laboratory with Kyungsoo per usual to pester the elderly man into showing them Pokémon. He drops by the Do household to eat dinner with their family. He goes back home and watches his favorite cartoon about the ultimate Pokémon champion, Ash Ketchum, until he falls asleep on the couch and Baekbeom has to carry him to his bed.
When he turns ten years old, he forgoes embarking on his Pokémon journey with the rest of his like-aged peers. He claims it’s because he isn’t ready yet. It’s mostly because he’s scared, terrified, that he’ll take one step out of Pallet Town and never give himself a reason to come back-that he’ll fail to live up to the single legacy his mother used to insist was his for the claiming.
Kyungsoo doesn’t go that year either, not because he’s unprepared or scared, but because he doesn’t want Baekhyun to be alone.
The process repeats itself for years on end.
Kyungsoo and Baekhyun have an argument at sixteen about opportunities and baggage, about trusting oneself and about pursuing dreams. Kyungsoo leaves that same year to start his own journey.
It’s a quick process, again. Kyungsoo says goodbye to his family and leaves Pallet without telling anyone else.
He never says goodbye to Baekhyun.
(!!) There’s a little more! Keep reading?
[A] Yes
[B] No
Do Kyungsoo leaves Pallet to pursue a dream that was never his. Byun Baekhyun leaves Pallet as a tribute to his mother.
They’re both heroes in their own right.
☆☆
THREE: WATCH OUT FOR TALL GRASS!!
What Baekhyun notices during his sixth excruciatingly uncomfortable hour with Kyungsoo is that Kyungsoo doesn’t let his Pokémon out of their Pokéballs. He has a collection of six zipped up in a pocket he lets hang from a belt loop. Baekhyun knows this because Kyungsoo counts them every so often to make sure none of them have gone missing.
Their interactions are kept to a minimum, for the most part. Eevee pads between them timidly, peering up at them every few minutes to gauge their expressions.
Kyungsoo has always been more comfortable with silence than Baekhyun.
It’s just a little awkward considering there’s still an age-old argument left unresolved. Baekhyun isn’t the type of person to forget. He’s the type to linger, to cling onto everything until he’s resolved his issues in a manner he’s content with. And he isn’t content with the misunderstandings he’s been tending to for two years now. He isn’t content with Kyungsoo pretending nothing’s changed-all while Baekhyun can’t quite push out the constant stream of praise the people of Pallet had produced in regards to Kyungsoo’s burgeoning Pokémon journey. The journey, Baekhyun knows he shouldn’t think, that should have been his.
“You should level Eevee up,” Kyungsoo points out idly, hands still jammed into the pockets of his pants as he gazes back and forth. “Pewter’s a Rock type city. Don’t know if you’ll be able to find Grass and Ground types in the wild right now but you can start building a solid team.”
“I knew that,” Baekhyun mutters, despite how obvious it is that he didn’t. At all. Even Eevee throws Baekhyun an incredulous look to which Baekhyun promptly responds by sticking his tongue out maturely.
The on-and-off silence is honestly painful. There are plenty of questions running through Baekhyun’s mind but none of them are appropriate conversation starters for two people who seem more like strangers than anything else.
With Viridian City behind them considering its abandoned gym and subsequent lack of reason for Baekhyun or Kyungsoo to linger there, the party of three approaches Route 2 with Pewter City on their minds.
Baekhyun has little to no experience battling or training Pokémon. Pallet doesn’t have anything like this-it’s why so many young spirits leave it in hopes of pursuing excitement and adrenaline rushes. Still, he’s feeling a tiny bit confident despite his lack of knowledge and it might be because Kyungsoo’s with him.
Route 2 is nothing impressive. It’s an undefined path with grass that’s been trampled on by trainers before him trailblazing to the entrance of the Viridian Forest.
There are faint rustling noises all around though, most likely wild Pokémon scrounging through their natural environment in hopes of coming across scattered foods and other Pokémon-friendly things Baekhyun wouldn’t know anything about. He walks ahead of the group onto the trail, feeling particularly unthreatened by the sounds of Pokémon he can’t identify off the top of his head. He’s confident today.
It’s because Kyungsoo’s with him that Baekhyun feels all the more determined to do well.
Eevee, however, is a different story. The Pokémon is especially now, sticking close to Baekhyun’s heels to the extent of unintentionally tripping Baekhyun every few seconds. It isn’t difficult to see that Eevee is scared. He’s trembling from his ears to his paws, big brown eyes darting nervously from side-to-side as though anticipating a surprise attack.
“Hey,” Kyungsoo calls out softly. “Maybe you should put Eevee in his Pokéball for now.”
Before Baekhyun has the chance to contemplate the merit of Kyungsoo’s idea, however, the faint hissing of an unidentified patch of tall grass catches him off-guard. His fingers are clasped around Eevee’s Pokéball, prepared to return him-
A purple mouse-like creature leaps out of the grass, baring its teeth and leaning back onto its haunches.
☆ RATTATA, A FOREST POKÉMON. IT LIKES CHEESE, NUTS, FRUITS, AND BERRIES. IT ALSO COMES OUT INTO OPEN FIELDS TO STEAL FOOD FROM STUPID TRAVELERS ☆
Eevee scampers behind Baekhyun’s legs, peeking out from there with clear trepidation written across his features.
The Rattata approaches cautiously, standing its ground for the most part when it realizes that Eevee is far from confident.
“Do something before it attracts attention. Rattata isn’t the type of Pokémon to travel alone,” Kyungsoo says quickly.
“Right,” Baekhyun says in response, licking his lips anxiously. “Alright, Eevee! Tackle!” He points at the Rattata with a deceiving amount of bravado, praying to a based Articuno for a modicum of success. Rattata is hardly a challenge. It’s probably a lower level with only a couple of methods of attack but still, Baekhyun’s hyperaware of how frayed his nerves are.
They only get worse when he realizes Eevee isn’t moving.
“Eevee?” Baekhyun repeats. “Come on, Eevee, it’s okay! You can do it!” The encouragement is feeble at best and he can see it doesn’t do much for the terrified Pokémon.
Eevee, however, ever the stickler for pleasing his trainer, takes a wary step forward, still standing excessively close to Baekhyun. The wavering of his careful steps forward should be enough indication for Baekhyun to forfeit this one but he thinks if Eevee’s willing to take a chance, he shouldn’t be discouraging him.
Rattata leaps before Baekhyun can say anything, tackling Eevee squarely in the shoulder and skimming Baekhyun’s leg as well.
The soft whimper that slips past Eevee’s mouth is the equivalent of a dagger going right through Baekhyun’s chest. He didn’t mean to be negligent. He didn’t mean to get Eevee hurt-
“Baekhyun!” Kyungsoo raises his voice for the first time today. “You have to be quicker than that!”
He falters though, words caught in his throat. He can already see the Rattata gearing up for a second attack. The Rattata never gets the chance to strike a second time, however. A Pokéball is hurled over Baekhyun’s shoulder, releasing a silhouette to stand between Eevee and the wild Rattata.
☆ MAROWAK, A BONE KEEPER POKÉMON. DESPITE ITS SMALL SIZE, ITS OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE STRENGTH IS IMPRESSIVE ☆
“Go!” Kyungsoo says simply. Marowak bobs its head once before jumping forward, positioning the bone in its claws and swinging it like a baseball bat-with Rattata as its baseball. The experience disparity must be large because the Rattata doesn’t stand a chance, going flying as soon as it makes contact with the bone. Marowak turns to Kyungsoo for approval. Kyungsoo nods. “Good job. You can return now.”
Eevee lets out another small whine, nudging weakly at Baekhyun’s shoes until he relents and picks Eevee up in his arms. Baekhyun’s silent as Kyungsoo collects the Pokéball on the ground casually, as though nothing of significance happened.
He’s a little embarrassed to say the least. It’s obvious to Baekhyun now how much of a difference two years can really make in terms of skill.
“Your Pokémon’s going to get flustered if you’re flustered. You can’t build a solid trust system with Eevee if you’re scared of letting him get hurt.” Though Kyungsoo’s tone is level, Baekhyun’s known him for too long to ignore the tiny glimmer of concern in Kyungsoo’s intonation. “You have to trust yourself to take care of him before you can expect Eevee to go into battle confidently for you.”
The chastisement ends there as Kyungsoo drops the Pokéball in his hand back into its designated pouch. He wipes the frown off of his face quickly, replacing it with his usual expression of neutrality before he extends a tiny vial to Baekhyun.
“It’s a potion,” he explains. “We can’t afford to go to the Pokémon Center until we get through Viridian Forest so this is the best option for recovery.”
Baekhyun wraps his fingers around the vial, staring down at it, lips pursed and brows furrowed. He isn’t sure what to say. He’s being harassed, really, by the immense desire to know what the last two years were for Kyungsoo.
☆☆
FOUR: HEART-TO-HEART!!
They’re camping beneath the trees and stars tonight, bundled up in sleeping bags by an expired makeshift fire courtesy of Kyungsoo. Eevee’s better now, almost at his 100% best as he flounces around the area before settling comfortably by a tree trunk nearby.
Kyungsoo has his back turned to them, already asleep.
“Hey, Eevee?” Baekhyun whispers from his sleeping bag. Eevee’s ears twitch before he turns around to stare at Baekhyun quizzically. “About earlier today… I’m sorry I let you down,” he says with a frown. “I don’t want to make excuses about how it’s my first time and I’m not experienced and stuff but-I dunno. Seeing you actually get hurt by that stupid rat made me realize that it really is just you and me and, well…” He trails off with a muted sigh, flopping over onto his back to peek at the stars through the overlapped leaves above.
Eevee hops off of the tree trunk and manages to get to Baekhyun, curling up next to him and nuzzling his cheek.
“I know I messed up,” Baekhyun continues, lips curving into a slight smile as he reaches one hand out of the sleeping bag to card his fingers through the fur of Eevee’s head. “I know this whole trust thing is going to take a while but-I’m going to try my best, okay? So don’t think for a second that I’ll leave you behind if you mess up in battle or something. I won’t get mad even if we lose, just as long as you’re okay in the end.”
Eevee nudges Baekhyun’s shoulder and looks content.
“We’re both new to this, but I promise that in a couple of years, maybe even months, we’re going to be at the top together.”
“Eevee!”
(Baekhyun and Eevee fall asleep trying to find the Butterfree constellation. Kyungsoo, back still turned to them, smiles to himself and finally closes his eyes.)
☆☆
FIVE: WELCOME, NUMBER TWO!!
Coincidentally, they run into Chanyeol at the very edge of Route 2. Baekhyun’s gotten a couple of shaky battles under his belt and Eevee’s growing considerably more confident with each one-even the losses. Days pass and Baekhyun’s feeling confident about leaving Route 2 now.
It’s a little difficult to recognize Chanyeol initially because he’s wearing leaves all over his hair and clothes and some sort of war paint on his face for reasons only based Zapdos knows. He’s eager to see Baekhyun and especially Kyungsoo though, jumping out from the grass to greet them cheerfully after apologizing profusely for causing them heart attacks.
“I’m going to be a Bug trainer!” Chanyeol announces proudly.
“I thought you were going to breed Furrets,” Baekhyun replies with a half-hearted smile.
“That was before I realized Furrets are regions away.” Chanyeol looks minutely devastated.
Kyungsoo pats Chanyeol on the shoulder empathetically.
“Anyways,” Chanyeol continues after wiping away a few fake tears. “You’re starting to catch Pokémon now, right? I suggest adding a Bug type to your party! Route 2 has a ton of great ones that are easy to train! Like… like… Caterpie? Or Weevil? I personally like Weevils better but to each their own, y’know.” He claps a hand on Baekhyun’s back encouragingly.
Baekhyun grimaces. He’s not too fond of Bug Pokémon. They aren’t exactly the first type to come to mind when thinking of strength and power-which is what he’s looking for to build the right team to defeat the Elite Four and all, but Chanyeol looks so earnest and excited about these bugs of his that Baekhyun can’t help but nod.
When they part ways after monstrously aggressive hugs from Chanyeol and words of advice about Pewter’s Gym Leader, a young man by the name of Kim Jongdae, Baekhyun isn’t expecting to act on his promise so soon.
He’s walking through the grass casually, approaching the gates to Viridian Forest with a practiced ease when a Caterpie, of all Pokémon, pops out from a tree above and lands in front of him. It looks startled more than anything-cornered, almost.
☆ CATERPIE, THE WORM POKÉMON. CATERPIE USES THE SUCTION CUPS ON ITS FEET TO CLIMB TREES AND FEED ON ITS FAVORITE LEAVES ☆
Eevee hops out from behind Baekhyun and assumes battle stance while Kyungsoo stands in the sidelines, watching carefully with his hands casually jammed into his pockets.
“Tackle?” Baekhyun says hesitantly, still unsure of whether the Caterpie is looking for a battle. He’s leaning towards not looking for a battle.
His sentiments are confirmed when the Caterpie begins screeching and shrieking as Eevee chases after it in an attempt to tackle it. The Caterpie looks thoroughly attacked, as though it really just fell from the tree to have a good time in the grass-not to get chased by a determined Eevee.
Unfortunately, Eevee does manage to catch up eventually, tackling the Caterpie right in the middle and sending it flying against a nearby tree. It falls to the ground and tries to slide back up but ends up flopping over onto the ground again, dizzied by the impromptu air travel.
“Use your Pokéball,” Kyungsoo advises him.
Baekhyun hesitates. “Do I really want a Bug Pokémon though?” He frowns. “Like really?”
“It’s kind of cute,” Kyungsoo reasons. He tilts his head to the side as though attempting to accurately judge the fainted Caterpie from all angles. “Kind of.” He straightens his neck. “… Kind of.”
“Fine. I’ll do it so Chanyeol’s ghost doesn’t haunt me.”
Caterpie doesn’t struggle when the Pokéball absorbs her. Baekhyun picks the Pokéball up and looks at it critically before outstretching it into the air in an unnecessarily exaggerated pose.
“Heck yeah! I caught a Caterpie!” Baekhyun grins and winks at an imaginary camera.
Kyungsoo peers at him. “Who are you talking to?”
☆☆
SIX: PLAYING CATCH UP!!
The Viridian Forest is a beautiful expansive woodland that is simultaneously one of the most terrifying sights Baekhyun has ever had the honor of seeing. He can’t see the end of the forest from where he stands and it’s unsettling imagining getting lost in the woods forever, forced to sleep with Caterpies and Weevils inching about and stealing food from his bag.
Kyungsoo, however, seems much more assured as he walks directly into the forest, peering through spaces in the woods to find a good place to camp for the night.
He ends up finding one moments later, a comfortable patch of grass just a couple of meters from the gates. There’s just barely enough room for two sleeping bags and though it’s a bit close for comfort, there’s no use complaining because Baekhyun would much rather rest than search aimlessly for a better spot.
They set up camp in moderate silence. Eevee is already fast asleep with Caterpie curled up next to him. Eevee is exhausted from a day of thorough training and Caterpie is equally as exhausted from a day of trying to eat Baekhyun’s hair and hat.
Baekhyun carefully flattens his sleeping bag, leaving the available two inches of space between his sleeping space and Kyungsoo’s.
“Good night,” Kyungsoo says softly, zipping his sleeping bag up and turning over onto his side, back facing Baekhyun again.
“Night,” Baekhyun mumbles in response. He turns so his back’s facing Kyungsoo too but after a moment of contemplation, he turns back around. Kyungsoo’s probably already on his way to slumber land by now but Baekhyun doesn’t need much reciprocation to let his mind wonder aimlessly about the enigma, Do Kyungsoo.
Eevee stirs, pawing the air in his sleep. Caterpie makes a whirring noise before sprawling out into a more comfortable position.
“Hey asshole.” He pauses. “Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun calls out softly, not expecting a response. “Why did you leave Pallet without saying goodbye?”
The silence doesn’t come as a surprise to Baekhyun. He feels a little better though, having gotten the question off of his chest in the very least. He shifts so he’s on his back now, gaze glued to the canopy of trees above.
“You want me to answer that?” Kyungsoo mutters suddenly, and Baekhyun freezes as his words process in his mind. “Because I can, but it won’t make any sense to you either way.”
This time, it’s Baekhyun’s turn to be silent. He presses his lips into a firm line as he continues staring at the wisps of twilight still lingering in the air.
“Yeah. I want you to answer it.”
Kyungsoo hums contemplatively, and Baekhyun can almost imagine the workings of a smile on his lips. It sends a tremor down his spine for unexplainable reasons.
“Because I was mad that you didn’t trust yourself,” Kyungsoo says simply. “I figured I might as well accomplish your dream for you either to give you some sort of peace of mind or, better yet, inspire you to do even better than me. I thought it’d be easier if I left without telling you-because I don’t know if you ever noticed, but you were always really good at convincing me to do stupid things. I didn’t want you to convince me to stay.”
“I thought-” Baekhyun holds his breath before sighing softly. “It did kind of inspire me in the long run. To get over myself, I mean. I just… thought that you left Pallet because you were tired of being there with me, just waiting for me to move on.”
“Baekhyun,” Kyungsoo says seriously, “I have an entirely separate reserve of patience for you. It’s ingrained in my DNA to stick with you-and I would have. But you weren’t happy and you weren’t listening to me either, so I thought I’d have to take a different approach.”
“I was so mad at you,” he replies with a soft, anxious laugh. “In the two years you were gone, all the people talked about were the great things you were doing. It made me want to do better, because I thought you left to find better things and I kind of wanted to prove that I could be a better thing.”
Baekhyun inhales sharply before mustering up the courage to turn to look at Kyungsoo. To his surprise, Kyungsoo’s already looking at him.
“It worked,” Baekhyun says quietly. “Your plan, I mean. You did drag me out of the little bubble I confined myself to.”
“It took two years though,” Kyungsoo comments with a faint smile. “It’s okay. I could have waited more.”
“Really?”
Kyungsoo turns over onto his back again. “Yeah. I always make exceptions for you.”
☆☆
SEVEN: BACK TO BASICS!!
Kyungsoo lets out a sigh as Baekhyun hops excitedly through the forest. It’s been a couple of days wandering through the trees but they’re beginning to thin out-a clear sign that Pewter City is somewhere near.
“You’re going against a Rock type gym with an Eevee and a Caterpie.”
“And a Pikachu. Don’t forget I caught a Pikachu this morning. I’m getting to be kind of amazing at this.”
“Okay. You’re going against a Rock type gym with an Eevee, a Caterpie, and a Pikachu.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have a strategy planned?”
“No.”
“… Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“…”
“Kyungsoo, calm down. I literally have everything under control.”
“Okay.”
“Yeah.”
“Caterpie’s eating your hair again.”
“Wha-MOTHERFU-”
“Caaaaaaaaaterpie!”
“No worries though, right? Because you have everything under control.”
“Pleasegetheroffofmyhair.”
“Nah. You have everything under control.”
☆☆
EIGHT: ROCK AND ROLL!!
Kim Jongdae proves to be a formidable match, as expected from a Gym Leader hailed as a Pokémon geek with thorough knowledge on all types.
Baekhyun, surprisingly enough, wins. Against all odds, he manages to survive the brutal battles with at least his Caterpie still in one piece. Eevee and Pikachu are resting in their respective Pokeballs, nearly fainted from playing their parts in battle, when Baekhyun exits the gym to greet Kyungsoo.
“So?” Kyungsoo asks, prompting Baekhyun for a response.
Baekhyun stares at the ground and then lets out a small sigh.
Kyungsoo frowns. “It was your first-” He trails off when Baekhyun slowly extends the glistening Pewter City gym badge to Kyungsoo. “Wow,” he says blankly. “You’re an asshole. I thought you lost.”
“Please, Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun says with a scoff. “Who do you think I am? Some rookie? I’m Byun Baekhyun!”
“Yeah,” Kyungsoo replies. “That’s what I’m saying. I thought you lost-”
“Don’t ruin this happy moment for me.”
The smile that grows on Kyungsoo’s lips is warm and genuine. Baekhyun mirrors it with his signature square grin. Shamelessly, he extends his arms for a hug. Kyungsoo eyes him quizzically before rolling his eyes and pulling Baekhyun into his arms.
“Proud of you, idiot,” he mumbles into Baekhyun’s ear.
“Thanks, douchebag,” Baekhyun says as he tightens his grip. He leans his head back to press a kiss to Kyungsoo’s cheek, relishing the way Kyungsoo freezes in his arms. The pink that dusts the ever so stoic Pallet native’s cheeks is a nice touch.
When Baekhyun pulls away, Kyungsoo’s looking at the ground awkwardly. He almost wishes he could take a picture of this exact moment.
“So are you going to Cerulean with me?” Baekhyun asks instead.
Kyungsoo looks up then, a tiny smile on his lips. “Nah. I have to be somewhere else. I kind of left an important job after I heard you were finally leaving Pallet. I was so happy you were starting your journey that-I don’t know. I guess I felt kind of greedy. I wanted to be there for part of it.”
Baekhyun’s a little disappointed but he figured that Kyungsoo wasn’t in need of a beginner’s company.
“I’m proud of you, Baekhyun,” he repeats earnestly. “You’ve come really far so don’t stop anytime soon. You owe me a battle, anyways.” He grins, heart-shaped lips curving wide. He reaches out, tangling his fingers with Baekhyun’s effortlessly. “I expect to see you at the very end after you’ve beaten the Elite Four.”
When Kyungsoo pulls away, Baekhyun realizes he’s clasping something in the palm of his hand. He unfolds his hand and peers at what remains. It’s a blue stone, the color of the deep ocean.
“Water stone,” Kyungsoo says sheepishly. “Just in case.”
“Kyungsoo,” Baekhyun begins slowly, clasping the stone tightly again before he steps forward to wrap his arms around Kyungsoo’s neck for another hug. “Thanks for waiting. Thanks for everything.”
“I told you,” Kyungsoo replies. “You’ll always be an exception.”
☆☆
TRAINER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Do Kyungsoo
TRAINER AGE: Eighteen
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Flareon, Venasaur, Marowak, Gyarados, Gengar, Lapras
☆☆
EPILOGUE: THE HERO’S ULTIMATE TEST!!
“I can’t believe it,” Lu Han whines, kicking at the ground petulantly. “I can’t believe you beat me!” The fourth and final member of the Elite Four looks absolutely devastated as he stares at Baekhyun with round eyes. “Well, I guess you won fair and square! Congratulations, Byun Baekhyun! The Champion awaits behind these doors…”
Baekhyun grins, accepting a handshake from Lu Han. Vaporeon trills happily next to him as they make their way to the double doors behind Lu Han. He has a vague idea of what to accept but the adrenaline is still pumping through his veins as he pushes the doors open.
It’s bright in this room but once his eyes adjust, he sees a familiar figure clothed in black from head-to-toe sitting cross-legged at the opposite end of the room with a Flareon seated next to him.
The figure looks up and his expression melts immediately into a smile.
“Baekhyun,” Kyungsoo begins with a satisfied smile, getting up onto his feet. “You made it.”
Baekhyun mirrors the grin, letting the doors close behind him as he takes a couple of steps further into the room. “I had a promise to keep, you see… some loser I know made me promise to beat him someday.”
“This loser sounds remarkably wise and probably talented. Handsome, too,” Kyungsoo says thoughtfully. “But now that you’re here, I guess it’s time to get this battle started. You have to win. You could be the next Champion.”
“I’m going to win,” Baekhyun assures him with a confident wave of his hand. “After I win, I not only want that fancy title-”
Kyungsoo tilts his head to the side.
“-but I want a kiss too. I think you owe me one.”
The expression on Kyungsoo’s face is dumbfounded before he shakes his head, laughing softly under his breath. “Well, Baekhyun, I should warn you that I’m here for a reason.” He grins. “You’re going to have to earn it.”
☆☆
TRAINER PROFILE
TRAINER NAME: Byun Baekhyun
TRAINER AGE: Nineteen
REGION: Kanto
HOMETOWN: Pallet
POKÉMON TEAM: Vaporeon, Butterfree, Dragonite, Arcanine, Raichu, Pidgeot