A Girl Who Never Gives Up

        “With Haku, it’s having too much energy.” Madoka scoops up the ball and tosses it back, initiating a round of ‘catch’ between them. It’ll be easier to camp tonight if she’s exhausted.

         “There are more things to do than collect badges. You could go for contest ribbons!” He proposes this as a half-joke: equating the badges to ribbons, pretending they’re the same thing with a repaint. “Or you can fill a Pokedex, pick up photography with a Rotom Phone… What’ll be most memorable and unique is that you’re the one on the adventure. Right?”

“I guess?” She just doesn’t want to be labeled as the worst child if she actually tries at something. But maybe if that thing that she tries at is different from what her sister did, then it won’t be that much of a concern?

         She was kind.

         Most people who saw Hinata in this state would force her to move. They would pick her up by her arms, dragging her to her feet, and escort her forcefully. Claiming it was for her own good or that she could walk it off. They didn’t understand that Hinata wanted to walk it off, but simply couldn’t.

         So to hear someone understand, even if they were a human, was reassuring.

      “My legs feel like jelly.” Hinata admitted. It was why she didn’t think she could stand up and accept help, even if she was beginning to trust Solique. “But you’re right. I need to find another way… I just don’t think I can stand up yet. So thank you, but…”

         Solique would have to wait. For a stranger. And no human would do that. None except Madoka.

Solique looked back out to the crowd. It seemed as busy as it was before she came to check on the girl. A shame, but even if she went back out there now, she wouldn’t have a chance to see who was causing such a stir. But it worked out for the best because now there was no reason for her to leave. She settled into a more comfortable position. 

“It’s fine. Take all the time that you need. I don’t have anywhere to be,”Solique assured. She didn’t really get why they couldn’t go now, but she wasn’t going to force the issue. She didn’t feel comfortable leaving someone who was clearly struggling to fend for themselves in an alleyway.

      “I don’t think that you’re ever too old to enjoy an adventure.” Madoka assured her. He had been older than most of the other trial goers when he finally got himself to do it. As a result, he had a different kind of fun than the others.

      “You can make any day your starting point for something new, you know? Have you considered a journey of your own?”

         As he was engaged in the conversation, Haku felt ignored. So she hit the ball with her tail, and in turn tried to whack Madoka. Her trainer’s quick idol reflexes kicked in and he blocked the ball with his hand. “Oh dear. And here I thought I’d succeeded in tiring her out…”

“I mean maybe...” She still wasn’t sure there was much point her going on an adventure. What if it wasn’t fun? The only problem with an amazing and successful older sister, is that there’s a good chance you’ll disappoint the people around you if you try anything similar.

    “Lucky! Brionne are charming, aren’t they?” He paused the topic of the Popplio line when she explained her situation. It was nostalgic to hear: Madoka still remembered his first solo trip and how nerve raking it was. He had been fortunate to have Alolan friendliness to push him along.

      “Yes, born and raised there.” He answered proudly, amused by her enthusiasm, “You know how most regions do gym challenges, with gym leaders? In Alola, we have island trials and trial captain. The community comes together to create a memorial experience for young trainers. It’s really fun!”

“They really are! So cute! Even if the one I met hit me with a misplaced Bubble attack,”Solique laughed.

    “HEEK!” Hinata bolted upright, palms slamming to the ground as she was ready to rocket to her feet. Before she could try running, her eyes locked on the sight of Solique.

       A human… With a concerned expression. They were on eye level, too. Not a threat… Or at least, not trying to appear threatening. Hinata mumble incoherently for a second, battling with her trust– then whimpered.

    “I-I’m… I’m not good with crowds.” She managed to say, “So… I’m hiding until that one goes away… Are you hiding too?”

“Uhm....nope!” She debated lying for a moment, but decided against it,”I actually like the hustle and bustle. “I just saw a really nervous girl duck into an alleyway, and decided to make sure she was alright.” She looked over at the crowd on the street, before turning back to the girl,”I’m not sure they’re going to go away anytime soon...They’re watching something after all. Maybe it would be better if you found another way to get around? I would say try to push through, but I’m guessing that didn’t work.”

    “Yes, actually. She’s a Primarina. They’re one of the traditional starter Pokemon for Alola’s Island Challenge.” Madoka explained, glancing briefly at his Pokemon. Haku had recaptured the ball and then bunted it into the water, amusing herself with a game of fetch. “They evolve from Popplio. Have you seen one of those before? They’re the little blue seals.”

“I haven’t, but I have seen a...Brionne? before,”She said, also watching the Pokemon play with the ball. “Primarina and Brionne are pretty, so I’m guessing Popplio are too.”

Over the week, Solique and Pichu have started getting used to each other. They started even hanging out together. Like Solique playing on her Switch while Pichu watched, and pawed at the moving parts. Solique set aside time to play with the Pichu with toys, and as a result Pichu stopped wrecking her room every night. Solique has even started trying to get Pichu to stay on her shoulder when she walks around with some success. Things have definitely been getting better.

Solique had almost forgotten that she was only watching Pichu temporarily. At least until she got a call from the PokeCenter giving her Professor Elm’s number, and saying that she needed to call him and set up an appointment because he wanted to check out the Pichu.

One more phone call and a few days later found Solique and Pichu leaving home. Pichu was in the carrier from before, and was waiting impatiently for Solique and her parents to say their goodbyes.

“And you’ve made a reservation at a hotel in Cherrygrove, right? Make sure to stay out of tall grass when you make your way to the lab,”Her dad said, hands on her shoulders. He was using his serious face, as he continued,”You can’t count on a Pokemon you haven’t caught to protect you. So it’s important that you’re careful.”

“I did, and I know,”Solique responded. The train was going to be here soon. She opened her mouth to remind them of this, when her mom spoke up.

“You know if you catch her, then you won’t have anything to worry about! The pokemon in that part of the region are pretty weak after all,”She held out a friend ball for Solique to take.

“Thanks, but we don’t even know if Pichu is wild, or what’s going on,”Solique reminded,”It wouldn’t be right if I caught her before we knew.”

“Fine fine, but at least take the ball with you,”Her mother coaxed,”Maybe you’ll find another nice Pokemon to catch? Or maybe Professor Elm will give you a starter!”

Solique took the ball, and shook off her dad’s hands,”Fine, I’ll bring it with me. But I really need to go now. I’m off!” 

“Hey...Little friend?”Solique tried calling out, she brought more food and water for the Pichu. The Pichu waited until she was up on the bed, before darting out to eat a little bit, she looked up at Solique to make sure she hadn’t moved, and then got a few laps of water before running back under the bed. Solique sighed. Her new roommate seemed to be incredibly nervous. She even had to move the food and water bowl closer to the bed to make sure she would eat. And yet, every morning Solique would find her room in a mess.

This couldn’t keep going on.

Solique had a bag of pokemon toys, and all the time in the world. She knelt down a few feet from the bed, and pulled out a feather toy. She waved it around a few times, getting the Pichu’s attention. Still, she stayed put under the bed. 

Solique tried every one of the toys she had bought. Eventually, she ran out, and resorted to cooing and wagging her finger. The Pichu still didn’t react. 

             Much to Madoka’s relief, his Pokemon did scamper off after the beach ball. He could hear her complaining the whole way, no doubt upset that her neatly placed toy was messing up the beach again. But he gave Madoka a chance to spring to his feet and dust sand off his clothes.

          “Thank you so much, miss. I’m sorry to have disturbed your beach visit.” Madoka was still trying to shake the sand out of his hair, but otherwise seemed to be alright, “Haku can get carried away when she’s having fun.”