The Beginning of an Adventure

[Kitzy Inc.]

At the beginning of every journey, there's a moment where one is faced with the question of whether they're really meant for this kind of adventure or not.

And if Cody were that kind of a person, he would probably be having his right now.

The young teenaged boy stared down at his new Pokemon, a scowl on his face. "Come on. First route. Route One. This is easy stuff! If we wanna get anywhere, we need to start here. In the grass. Now go." Giving the Growlithe a small nudge with his foot, the terrified creature proceeded to instead yelp and clamber over it in fear, staring at the grass as if it were going to come alive and eat him.

Cody had just begun his adventure, received his first Pokemon from the professor, and now was on his way to becoming a Pokemon Master! ...Well, if his newly acquired Growlithe would let him.

Irritably, he picked up the Pokemon, causing it to squirm helplessly in his arms. "Come on. We're going." And with that, he walked into the grass fearlessly, with his terrified Pokemon flailing around in his arms.

[Mewluver]

Naomi stepped outside, her new and highly curious Pokemon, Riolu, following close behind. The Riolu looked around, with a thrilled, yet goofy look on his face. His tail wagged rapidly, his tongue hung out the side of his mouth, and still his head kept changing directions. Naomi chuckled at his behavior.

Riolu was so very curious. Everything was interesting to him. Every waking moment had a new discovery. He finally looked up at Naomi with anxiously glad eyes.

Naomi chuckled once more and nodded her head. She leaned down and said. "You ready for this? Ready, boy? Huh? Are Ya?" Riolu got more and more excited, every time she asked. "You'd better be ready, because this is the start of our journey, it will easy at first, but CHALLENGES AWAIT!!!" She said to Riolu, who was now pumped up, and practically rearing to go.

"Come on, boy." She finally said, walking forward, into the grass. Riolu danced, a bit ungracefully after her.

[Kitzy Inc.]

Quite the opposite of Naomi's handy dandy little team (whom he was, apparently, still unaware of -- Cody was quite caught up in struggling to hold his Growlithe and keep an outlook for wild Pokemon), Cody and the Growlithe continued their little struggle. Cody, to begin his journey and set out in the world... and the Growlithe, to likely jump down, flee, and hide under a rock.

"Come... on..." Cody grunted with the effort, the Growlithe being rather heavy in his arms at this point. "If... it's easier... I could... return you... to your Pokeball." The Growlithe instantly calmed, stiffening in his arms and instantly becoming quite docile. He looked at Cody, eyes wide and fearful. Apparently, on top of largely immobile, he was quite claustrophobic.

Letting out another grumble, Cody gained better ground in supporting the Growlithe. "Well, at least that's one thing."

Finally being able to walk a bit faster, although quite ungracefully, it wasn't long before he noticed another trainer forging out a path as well. Not quite outgoing enough to go up and say hello, yet not quite stand-offish enough to completely blow her off, he settled for keeping in view of her and pretending not to see her. If she wanted to say hello or challenge him, she was obviously going to have to be the one to do it.

[Mewluver]

Naomi saw another trainer up ahead. She squinted. Uh-oh. A boy. She was completely foolish around boys. she knelt down and patted Riolu's head. "Ri!" he grunted, before sprinting off towards the boy.

Naomi gridded her teeth as Riolu ran as fast as he could towards the trainer. But once in front of him, Riolu abruptly stopped. Naomi sighed, and walked towards Riolu.

Riolu smiled up at the boy, and his Growlithe. Riolu used Telepathy. "Hello, I'm Riolu, what's your name?" Just then, Naomi scooped him up in her arms. "Hello," She said, nervously.

[Kitzy Inc.]

Well, he couldn't say he was surprised when Naomi came up and said hello to him. For better or for worse, trainers tended to stick together. ...Or unleash their Pokemon on each other and attempt to wipe each other out. Same difference.

He turned when she approached, noticing the Riolu for the first time. Well, first time I've seen one of those. He toyed with the Pokedex on his belt, tempted to take it out and read up on the Pokemon, but figuring that firsthand knowledge was better than Pokedex knowledge. ...Maybe.

"'Lo. I'm Cody." He was finding it to be increasingly difficult to talk, let alone see, over the Growlithe's head, but knew that if he put him down, the Pokemon would likely freak out. "What kinda Pokemon's that? I've never seen one before."

Growlithe, in the meanwhile, was staring down at the Riolu with something akin to horror. "I'm I'm I'm I'm... well... uum... I d-dunno if Cody's n-named me yet b-b-b-but I'll uh go with Growlithe for now thanks," he answered in a stuttered Growlithe growl.

[Mewluver]

Riolu smiled at Growlithe. "You sound scared...why's that?" He asked Growlithe.

Naomi smiled, and said. "This is a Riolu," She answered him, tickling Riolu's stomache, making him squirm around. She looked at Growllithe. "That's a Growlithe, right? I haven't seen one in awhile." She said.

[Kitzy Inc.]

"W-we-welll the Professor used to s-s-say that I've go... got a pathologic-cal fear of other Pokemon and well you're kinda another Pokemon and I really just w-wanna go home and sit b-by the fire and um well yeah thanks sorry." The Growlithe spoke so quickly, it was actually rather difficult to make out half of what he said. In the meanwhile, he snuggled into Cody's shirt, trying to get comfortable despite the rather uncomfortable position.

Cody looked down at the Growlithe briefly, a little confused and uncomfortable to be having a Pokemon snuggling into his shirt. Shaking it off partially, he responded to Naomi. "Hm," he said in response to Naomi's first statement. "Yeah. He's scared of anything that moves, I think." Pausing, he looked at her. "I didn't catch your name."

[Mewluver]

"Oh, I'm Naomi." She replied timidly. Riolu's mouth hung open, as he was very confused. "Wha?" He asked Growlithe, not understanding what he said. "Erm.." Naomi said, "You wanna battle?" She shrugged.

Riolu wagged his tail, and let his tongue hang out, and looked at Cody with Wide, excited eyes.

[Kitzy Inc.]

Perking up a bit at the mention of a battle, Cody grinned a bit. "Sure!" Pulling the clinging Growlithe away from his shirt, he looked him in the eye. "Alright, pup. First step to becoming a master! Learning to fight! Facing your fears! And becoming the best!"

Growlithe looked at him, terror written all over his face. Pup? Is that my name? He wondered absently, then found himself being lowered to the ground. Knowing what was coming, he began flailing around. Noooo!! Attempting to snuggle back up to Cody, it took a while to separate him from his shirt.

After quite a struggle, Cody managed to place Growlithe on the grass. The Pokemon stared up at him, eyes wide, seemingly frozen. Augh grass wild Pokemon grass is on my paws it's tickling and it's wrong and auuughhhh all passed through the Growlithe's mind before Cody picked him up again, repositioning him to be facing the other trainer.

"Alright! Ready when you are!" Cody declared, his determination to win taking over.

The Growlithe stared at the Riolu, fear painted all over his face as his legs shook about. It was actually a bit of a feat that he managed to stay upright at all.

[Mewluver]

Naomi hid a chuckle as Cody struggled with his Growlithe. "You ready, boy? This it it." She said to Riolu. She put him down. Riolu Jumped up and down, excited for his first battle, unaware that the growlithe was scared to death.

"Ok, I hope You're ready!" Riolu said to Growlithe.

[Kitzy Inc.]

The Growlithe merely whimpered a bit in response, staring at the Riolu, terrified beyond belief.

"Okay! Then let's go! Growlithe -- Ember that Riolu!" Yelling rather determinedly, Cody's eyes blazed with the desire to win. And, well... hopefully the Growlithe would forfeit his fear and choose to go along with him.

However, this didn't appear likely to happen. The Growlithe was completely frozen in place, seeming to not have even heard Cody's command.

[Mewluver]

Naomi shouted, "Riolu! use Brick Break! Now!" Riolu Ran towards the Growlithe, Eyes glowing. "RI.............................." He said, jumping into the air, "OLU!!!!!!" He hit the Growlithe with a rather strong brick break.

[Kitzy Inc.]

Growlithe, staring at the Riolu, yelped out when it came for him, dodging the attack, simply by means of turning tail and fleeing as fast as he could. Running with his head down, he leapt behind Cody, flattening himself to the ground and putting his paws over his face, apparently employing the law that "if I can't see you, you can't see me".

Cody, stunned silent, just stood there for a moment, unsure of what just happened. However, when it finally occurred to him that his Pokemon had just turned tail and run, he backstepped over the Growlithe, rather irritated. "Come on, pup! Go! This is a Pokemon battle, not a hide and seek game!" Nudging him forward with his foot, the Growlithe slid forward a tiny bit, but seemed otherwise immobile, refusing to stand up, paws firmly over eyes as he trembled on the ground.

Frustrated, Cody paced a bit before pointing at the Riolu. "Growlithe! Go!" However, no response was issued from the Growlithe, other than a pitiful whining sound.

[Mewluver]

Naomi had a confused look on her face. "Ok...Riolu, use double kick!" Riolu jumped forward and double kicked at Growlithe rapidly, before jumping back and grunting.

[Kitzy Inc.]

The Growlithe wailed a bit when he heard Naomi's command, still refusing to get up. He was, therefore, hit by the double kick, and went flying backwards a bit, finally shakily getting to his feet.

"There you go!" Cody yelled. "Hang in there! Try a flamethrower!"

Squeezing his eyes shut, the Growlithe opened his mouth, a flamethrower surging out in Riolu's direction as Growlithe trembled, still largely refusing to participate otherwise.

[Mewluver]

Surprised, the Riolu yelped, as the flamethrower singed his fur.... "Riolu!" He cried. Naomi shouted, "Come on, you're okay! Hang in there!" Riolu obeyed his trainer and ignored the pain.

He stiill looked at the singed fur and rubbed it a little.. But then he looked up...

Riolu scowled at the Growlithe, and Naomi said, "Use Bite!" Riolu charged at Growlithe, fangs bared, ready to bite him.

[Kitzy Inc.]

The Growlithe, eyes squeezed shut, was surprised when he heard the Riolu yelp. It hit? I hit it! I did it! Yes! Opening his eyes finally, he was fully prepared to leap on Cody and hope he was so proud that he'd call off the battle. ...That, apparently, was out of the question, seeing as a very angry looking Riolu was barreling its way toward him.

Cody, however, was prepared. "Growlithe! Charge him with Flare Blitz!"

Eyes bugging out, the Growlithe turned tail and ran despite his trainer's plan, pitifully wailing all the way. However, he didn't make it far before the Riolu was upon him. Hit full on by the bite, he flailed about in every which way, more trying to desperately get away than injure his attacker.

Frustrated, Cody picked up his pacing again, rubbing his eyes with his hands. Stopping abruptly, he turned to his Pokemon once more. "Come on! Do something!"

"Heelp meee," The Growlithe instead chose to whine, terrified and completely out of his element.

[Blahsadfeguie]

Sitting on a rock, having arrived at an unknown time, there sat a Buizel, surveying the rookie battle with disgust. That Growlithe needed severe counseling if it wanted any chance to be a fighter. After watching the coward fail for the umpteenth time, Franz the Buizel decided that he had had enough and would intervene.

~This is by no means a fair fight!~ stated Franz, standing up from his stone seat. ~What we have here is a square peg, molded awkwardly by some mad carpenter, trying to fit into a round hole. I have seen first-time battlers before, but this is the most abnormal that I have ever encountered. Growlithe, where did you learn the basics of battling? The stuff that every Pokemon is taught by their parents almost right after birth?~

Typically carefree, Franz could never stand anyone not doing things right when it comes to battling. He seemed to adapt this personality from his trainer. Bob was exactly the same way - borderline insane, but absolutely ruthless in battle. Franz just took it more seriously. And this Growlithe really got on his nerves...

[Mewluver]

Riolu was a bit surprised at the buizel who had just arrived. He jumped in front of Noami, as if to protect her. But then he stood up and cocked his head as the buizel spoke. He looked at Growlithe.

Naomi stared down at the buizel, slowly pulling out her pokedex. hmmmm, a buizel... she thought. She saw the buizel yelling rather angrily at the Growlithe, but all she could hear was, "Bui! Buizel, Bui!" She looked at Cody with a confused face, as if saying. "do you know whose that is?"

~Erm....~ Riolu said. He twitched his tail. ~Do you mind?~ He asked.

[Kitzy Inc.]

The Growlithe's newly found semi-confidence quickly vanished when a new Pokemon arrived on the scene. ...And by semi-confidence, apparently that was more like confidence enough to be put on the ground in a route where he knew Pokemon would be. Instantly darting behind Cody to hide, he peered at the Buizel, terrified. It probably didn't help that it seemed to quite dislike him, anyway.

Cody saw the glance and shrugged in response, watching the Buizel with a mixture of curiosity and planning. A Buizel... That oughta be a good team addition. However, remembering his cowering Growlithe behind him, he kind of doubted he'd be able to do anything resembling a capture. Forcing a sigh, he looked over at Naomi irritably, gesturing toward the Buizel with his eyes. And that would probably be all the permission he'd give.

Finally working up the courage to say something, the Growlithe stuttered out a response. "I-I-I was n-never cut out f-for this... fighting... thing. I g-get sc-sc-scared easily," he responded quickly, staring wide eyed at the Pokemon. "M-Mom and D-D-Dad f-figured I'd just l-live with a human, not b-battle." He actually rather looked like he wanted to attempt climbing up Cody's pant leg.

[Blahsadfeguie]

Franz turned around to look at the Riolu that had been battling Growlithe just now. He listened to Growlithe's response. By then, he started to realize that he had gotten out of control again... He sighed. ~Sorry, folks, I just got a bit carried away,~ he explained. ~But it just really bugs me when I see someone in Growlithe's condition here. Sometimes I get carried away. Seriously though, this is no battle.~

He examined Growlithe a bit closer, taking note of his timidness. ~What we need to do is a bit of a crash-course on bravery. And I'm the one with just the experience to do it,~ he said, gesturing egotistically to himself. ~What do you say? It's completely free of charge.~ He turned to Naomi and the Riolu again. ~Sorry about your match. You don't have to stick around; you could go find another, more ready opponent.~

[Mewluver]

Naomi saw Cody's gesture. She looked down at Riolu and then the Buizel. She gave Cody a confused look.

Riolu looked at Buizel. "Erm..." He started, before looking at Naomi. Naommi picked him up. She walked over to Cody, and leaned in close to him. "You want me to catch it?" She asked.

[Kitzy Inc.]

Arms crossed irritably, Cody shrugged, pointedly not looking at her as he responded quietly. "It could be a trainer's Pokemon. How should I know?" Shifting slightly, he ran a hand through his hair, accidentally causing the black strands to stand on end. "But it's practically begging for it."

The more the Buizel examined the Growlithe, the more he seemed to make himself shrink behind his trainer. However, what he offered was, well, appealing... And the Growlithe knew that Cody would want him to stand up for himself. Yet, it also meant voluntarily subjecting himself to the company of this Pokemon, which made him uneasy.

However, he simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to please his trainer. He shook his head up and down quickly in a blink-and-you'd-miss-it affirmative before pushing himself yet closer to Cody's leg.

[Mewluver]

Riolu trotted over to Buizel, once he had escaped Naomi's grasp.~Do you have a trainer?~ He asked, with a friendly tone of voice.

Naomi reached inside her pocket to pull out a pokeball. She hid it behind her back.

[Blahsadfeguie]

Franz watched the nervous Growlithe nod his head. ~Excellent,~ he said. ~Then let's...~ He turned around yet again at the Riolu's remark. ~Of course I have a trainer! He's sleeping in, so I decided to go for a walk. Good thing I did, too, or I might have missed this guy. Boy, does he need my help!~

[Kitzy Inc.]

Summoning up the courage lurking deep within him, the Growlithe took a few shaky steps toward Franz, warily eyeing the grass around him, terrified something new would crop up and make the situation even worse. However, the instant that the Buizel was distracted, he froze, unsure of what to do. In the open. In the wide open. Nothing protecting me. Codyyyy, he mentally whined, forcing himself to stay where he was.

Cody, in the meanwhile, was going between watching the two different scenes. One, his Growlithe venturing into the grass on his own, and two, Riolu seeming to ask the Buizel something. It'd be a heck of a lot easier if they just spoke English, he mused before crossing his arms again, feeling relatively pointless in the scene -- but sure not showing it.