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Alistair's Odyssey 10

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Episode 10- It’s Bonding Time!

Omniscient Narrator!

“Oh come on Alistair, say it.”

“Absolutely not.”

“But you promised you would!”

“I promised nothing of the sort.”

“Oh come on! I’ve been wanting you to say this ever since you told me your backstory. Please?”

“No.”

“Say it!”

“No!”

“SAY IT!”

Alistair sighed and rubbed his temple. “Fine! But afterwards, will you please give me some peace?”

“Cross my heart.” Lauren demonstrated with her finger.

The Froakie rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. “I am going to—”

“No, no, no, Alistair. With feeling! And you gotta put your hand out like this.” Lauren clumped her fingers together and held her hand so that they pointed upwards. “And don’t forget to shake it back and forth while you talk.”

Another exasperated sigh escaped his mouth as his hand copied the position. He lowered his voice and tried to imitate an Italian accent. “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

“EEE HEE HEE HEE!!!!” Lauren jumped up and down and clapped her hands rapidly. “I can’t get over how awesome it is that you’re like this gentleman gangster!”

“Indeed. And I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t announce it to the whole world.” He scratched his head underneath his top hat. “In fact, silence would be most welcomed right about now.”

“Yes, sir. Absolutely. Shutting-up now!”

The team had woken up early so they could get a head start on heading to the next town. The north side of Lumiose City was experiencing a power outage, which meant Lauren would have to wait to challenge the gym there. She hoped there would be a gym in Camphrier City.

Because it was so early in the morning- Alistair was surprised to see that Lauren was able to function at his hour- the rest of the team would rest in their PokéBalls until training started. Alistair opted to stay out and keep his trainer company. Besides, he much preferred the fresh air to such a confined space.

They weren’t a quarter of a mile out of the city when someone tried to call their attention. They turned and saw a man with very tan skin, a pink suit, mustache, and well-combed hair. He smiled at Lauren as he approached.

“Um…” Lauren shifted her weight back and forth awkwardly. “Can I help you?”

“Why yes!” The strange man’s voice was slightly high pitched. “My name is Mr. Bonding! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance young trainer!” He bowed slightly, but Alistair didn’t miss his gaze trailing up and down Lauren. The Froakie narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

“And what is your name, my child?”

“Don’t tell him.” Alistair hissed. “I don’t like the way he’s looking at you.” To his relief, she listened to him.

“I’m not supposed to talk to strange people.”

“Nonsense! I am a friend to all young trainers.” He wiped a finger over his mustache and winked. “I’m no stranger.”

“I didn’t say stranger. I said strange people.” Lauren took a half step backwards and quickly scanned the area for other people. There were none.

Mr. Bonding pretended to look hurt. “But Professor Sycamore sent me to help you out. We work together very closely, you know.”

“Funny. He never mentioned you.”

“Oh really? That’s too bad.” Mr. Bonding took a couple steps closer. Lauren matched the distance in retreat, and Alistair took a defensive position in front of her.

“If he tries anything, I’ll break his nose with the head of my cane.”

“Aww Alistair, you do care.”

Mr. Bonding merely laughed. “I’m no danger to you miss, I swear.” He grinned. “I only want to give you an O-power.”

Lauren’s jaw dropped. “A what?! What does that stand for?” She already had an idea, though.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” The man quickly came forward and grabbed Lauren’s wrist. Before Alistair could make a move, Lauren shouted, “STRANGER DANGER!!!” and scooped up the Froakie. She held him in front of Mr. Bonding’s face and squeezed. Alistair felt his breath leave him as the foam on his back erupted and sent a barrage wave of bubbles that covered Mr. Bonding.

Lauren turned tail and dashed away further onto the route with Alistair under her arm. He bounced about in her grasp, yelling, “Miss Lauren, I demand you put me down at once! How did you even do that?!”

She stopped once they reached a skate park. Alistair wiggled out of her arm and jumped to the ground. As he brushed himself off, he said, “Not exactly the method I would have used to get rid of that cad.”

“Hey, it worked.” Lauren shuddered. “My God, that guy was creepy. I mean, what the hell, Nintendo? O-powers! Doesn’t take that much imagination to figure out what that means. I’m gonna sue whoever okay’d that character.”

“I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, but we should report that man the moment we reach Camphrier City.”

“Agreed.”

They continued along the path for some time in silence, occasionally looking over their shoulder to see if Mr. Bonding had followed them. He hadn’t.

“Hey by the way,” said Lauren. “Thanks for offering to help me out back there.”

“Of course! I will not tolerate such behavior toward a lady, no matter how unlady like she may be.”

Lauren chuckled. “Hey, my vulgarity is part of my charm, and you know it.”

“That remains to be seen. But next time, perhaps allow me to handle the ruffian my way.”

“Aw, but that way was much more fun.”

“Not from my perspective. You could have cracked my ribs!”

“Okay fine. Party pooper.” She stopped walking and retrieved five PokéBalls from her bag. “This looks like a good spot to train. Come on out, guys!”

The other Pokémon yawned and stretched as they materialized onto the grass. Danni, itching for a fight, unsheathed her claws and eagerly looked about her for wild Pokémon. Saff, Carmen, and Phoebe asked each other how their rest was, while Orchid simply looked up at Lauren, waiting for orders.

“Alright, guys. We’re going to do some free-range training today. I got a hologram from Tierno earlier saying there are a lot of Pokémon on this route, so I’ll worry about catching them for the Dex later. Go on off alone or in groups and fight whatever you can handle. We’ll meet back here by this tree in a couple hours for lunch.”

“You’re not going to command us in battle?” Orchid asked, genuinely confused. “But battling protocol states—”

“Screw your protocol! We’re doing things my way. Besides you, Orchid, are actually the one I want to keep with me. You’re new, so I want to see firsthand what you can do.”

Orchid leaned back and sat on her haunches. “Oh very well.”

And so the group split up. Danni went off on her own, and the others paired up- Alistair with Carmen and Saff with Phoebe.

Carmen had just finished defeating a Bunnelby and was hovering over its unconscious body when Alistair took the opportunity to bring up the previous night.

“I couldn’t help but notice during our friendship circle, you refrained from mentioning your mate.” Alistair rubbed his monocle on his chest to clean it while he spoke. “Care to enlighten me?”

Carmen landed next to him gracefully. She looked at him with a guarded expression. “There are certain things in my life I’m not comfortable sharing with the group.”

“Yes, but now you know quite a bit about me, and I know very little about you. You have me at a disadvantage, something I don’t altogether appreciate.”

“Alistair,” she sighed and closed her eyes. “You and I have become good friends in the short time we’ve known each other. Haven’t you been able to figure me out just by talking to me?”

“You are more difficult to read than most.”

“You aren’t.” To demonstrate, she circled him, searching him up and down and observing his stance. She stopped in front of him. “You’re used to being respected, feared even. You aren’t very young, but you still haven’t evolved. That means you haven’t battled much in your life, but I can tell you’ve still stayed in shape because you’re very fast and still good in a fight. You deal in a dangerous business, so I’m guessing you have a bodyguard to protect you. Despite your criminal activity, you have a good heart and protect those close to you because you do care, deep down. You’re very well-read and educated and think highly of yourself.”

Alistair grinned at her in admiration. “Not a bad character summary. Now I really am at a disadvantage.”

“Your turn.”

“Hmm…” He had to sit and think about this one. She truly was a mystery to him. He would have to make a few shots in the dark.

“You say you’ve lived a quiet life, but the fact that you refuse to discuss your mate suggests otherwise. You left your home willingly, so I’m guessing the two of you are no longer together. You are very affectionate towards the others, almost motherly. Even Lauren listens to you like you’re some sort of parental figure.” Then a thought struck him.

“Carmen, do you—”

They were interrupted by a pair of screams coming from over the hill. Their conversation instantly thrown aside, the two of them dashed towards the cry.

“I think it was Lauren and Orchid!” Carmen shouted. Alistair was fast, but her wings allowed her to pass him and travel faster. He could feel the adrenaline pumping through him. It brought about an energy he’d never felt before. It fueled him and made his legs pump harder.

Carmen must have been feeling this energy too, but she harnessed it in a different way. From his position on the ground, he saw a blinding light emanate from her position. It enveloped her, folding and shifting with her changing body. What emerged was a much larger bird, crimson red and silver with gold and black wings.

Alistair marveled. She was a Fletchinder now.

Carmen flapped new, her powerful wings and surged forward, so that she disappeared over the hill. Alistair scrambled to the top and peered over the slope. Lauren and Orchid were surrounded by dozens of Gulpin. The Bulbasaur was sending out Razor Leaf after Razor Leaf, but to little effect. Lauren, for her part, was fending them off with a long stick, which was slightly more efficient.

One Gulpin had made its way behind Orchid and prepared itself to pounce. As it leapt, a ball of fire erupted from Carmen’s mouth and knocked it away, singing its side. The Fletchinder landed by Lauren’s side and raised her feathers so that she looked larger.

Lauren gasped. “Whoa Carmen, you look badass! …Wait, are you a fire type now?!”

“No time to talk!” Carmen sent out another Ember attack at a nearby Gulpin. It faltered, but another took its place. Neither Pokémon had an attack that could do a lot of damage to all of them at once. Orchid tried one more Razor Leaf, but she was too exhausted. She collapsed as one of the Gulpin targeted her for a Pound attack.

Alistair took a deep breath and charged at the horde. He turned and released a salvo of bubbles at them. The Gulpin yelled in protest. Some fainted from the attack, while others retreated. Carmen took care of the stragglers with several Ember attacks. She didn’t relax until every single one had left. Then she turned to Orchid, who was trembling from the fight. She immediately flapped to her side.

“Orchid! Orchid darling, are you alright?”

The Bulbasaur groaned and lifted her head. “That was… horrible. They really took it out of me.”

“Here, I’ve got a couple Potions.” Lauren knelt down and dug through her bag. That’s when Danni and Saff arrived at the scene.

“We heard the commotion!” Saff panted. “What happened?” As Lauren explained, he was distracted by grunting noises not far from him. Alistair was crouched on the ground, holding his stomach. Saff bounded over to him.

“Alistair? Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Hush!” Snapped Alistair. He could feel the same energy he experience before. It hadn’t died out like he had hoped it would. Defeating all those Gulpin at once had given him a surge of experience points. He was evolving.

He could feel the next stage trying to break out of him. It was fighting its way to the surface, trying to come to the light and life, and Alistair was using every ounce of his being to silent it.

Lauren had just finished giving Orchid a second potion when she notice Alistair struggling at the foot of the hill. Saff was trying to aid him, but the Froakie just pushed him away. Lauren frowned. She knew what was happening. Part of her became excited, but other…

She reached into her bag and retrieved her PokéDex. Pointing it at Alistair, she sighed regretfully and pressed a button simply labeled “B.”

Suddenly, Alistair felt the energy dissipate from him. His muscles relaxed, and he hung his head. Did I really steady it?

“It’s too bad I didn’t get over here earlier,” Danni boasted. “I’d have destroyed all of them with my fire.”

“I tried that, dear. It didn’t work so well.” Carmen didn’t turn from Orchid as she spoke. She was searching the Bulbasaur for more wounds.

“What?” Danni narrowed her eyes. “I see you’ve evolved.” She paused, suddenly realizing what Carmen’s words meant. “Wait, are you a fire type now?”

“I suppose I am.” Carmen lifted her head. “I must have used an Ember attack out of instinct. There aren’t any Fletchinders where I live, so I didn’t know.”

“But… but I’m the fire type on this team!” Danni locked her eyes on Lauren, who was still concerned with Alistair. “Hey, you! You’re not going to kick me off because of this are you?”

“Huh? Oh… What makes you think I’d kick you off and not Carmen?”

“Because trainers always want a flying type,” Danni sneered at the Fletchinder. “And now she covers flying and fire. I’m just an extra body.”

“Danni, I’m not—”

“But last night you promised me you’d help me evolve!”

“Danni, shut up!” Lauren stomped her foot, and the Litleo flinched, lowering her ears in concern Hands on her hips, Lauren towered over her. “You’re not off the team. Yes, I told you I’d help you evolve, and that’s what I’m gonna do. So shut your pie hole and let me make the decisions around here. Got it?”

Danni lowered her head, not altogether convinced, but she still muttered, “Got it.”

“Good. The only thing that’s changed now is my final team. You’re right about one thing: trainers love to have flying types. You probably won’t be in my party for the Pokémon League now.”

“But that’s not fair!”

“Would you rather stick around and evolve or be boxed? There’s no law that says I have to keep you around.”

Danni’s eyes widened fearfully. “N-no! I want to stay!”

“That’s what I thought. Don’t you ever forget who the trainer is around here.”

“Lauren, please,” Carmen had moved her way over and now placed herself between the two of them. “Don’t be so hard on her. We’re all just a little tense from the attack.”

“Who said you were part of this conversation?” Danni demanded.

Lauren sighed. “Oh Danni, don’t even…”

“I’m only trying to help.”

“Well I don’t need your help, you show off!” Danni rounded on the Fletchinder, who took a couple steps back. “I can fight my own battles. I don’t need you, of all Pokémon, coming to my rescue all the time, because I don’t need saving! So go flaunt your newly evolved self somewhere else!” With that, she turned herself around and stalked off bitterly.

Mouth agape, Lauren moved to go after her. “Danni, you get back here and apologize!”

“Leave her be,” said Carmen, despite her pained expression. “Danni is just dealing with some insecurities right now.” She closed her eyes in a sigh.

As Lauren went to check on Orchid, Alistair walked to Carmen’s side and placed a comforting hand on her wing. She was now a whole foot taller than him, so he couldn’t quite reach her shoulder.

“I wasn’t able to congratulate you during the fight,” he said. “You look magnificent.” She smiled at him in thanks.

“Are you sure you don’t want to rest in your ball for a while?” Lauren was asking Orchid.

“I’ll be fine. I can feel those Potions kicking in.” Orchid cracked her neck. She already looked much better than she had during the battle. Scanning her companions, she noticed one was missing. “Hey, where is Phoebe?”

“Wasn’t she with Saff?” Lauren eyed her Pikachu. He just shrugged.

“I thought she was right behind me when I ran over here,” he admitted. “She so quiet, I didn’t notice she had left.”

Lauren groaned in frustration. First she gets harassed by some weirdo, then they get ambushed by a horde of Gulpin, then Danni blows up, and now they had to find Phoebe. Where could that little fairy have run off to?

* * *

The flowers in the meadow billowed calmly in the breeze. They were in a multitude of colors- shades of yellow, purple, and red. Phoebe happily hummed and she floated about them, breaking her melody to occasionally give her greetings and listen to their whispers. One white flower in particular seemed to call to her. She touched its sepals gently, trying to make sense of what it was telling her.

“What? …Oh yes, I am. …Really? When will that be?”

Within that moment, the white flower was crushed by, from Phoebe’s perspective, a giant foot. She gasped and yanked her own flower away frightfully. A dark shadow came over her, and she slowly raised her head to see the newcomer. It growled angrily.

“Eep!”

I know everyone has already made "Mr. Bonding is a pedo" jokes, but GOOD GOD. What were you thinking Nintendo?! I mean, you meet him in hotels rooms and the screen goes black while he gives you an O-power. And what's more, he's got a mustache. A FRIGGEN MUSTACHE. How in the world did nobody on the development team catch this?!

Okay... got that out of my system. There's a lot going on in this chapter: Carmen evolves, Alistair doesn't, Gulpin horde, Danni's a bitch, and Phoebe is missing. What could the little guy possibly have run into? ;)

P.S. I wonder how assaulting someone with a Froakie would go over in court? XD

Team
Alistair the Froakie- Hardy, Highly Curious
Carmen the Fletchinder- Modest, Highly Curious
Saff the Pikachu- Modest, Good Endurance
Danni the Litleo- Rash, Good Perseverance
Phoebe the Flabebe- Calm, Nods Off a Lot
Orchid the Bulbasaur- Adamant, Mischievous

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snowstar4567's avatar
God I absolutely hate him he is the most perverted thing Nintendo has ever made